Refuge in the Arms of Moldova: The Story of D. Kiril’s Family

When you flee from war, you suffer multiple losses: you lose the place and environment you’ve grown accustomed to, you lose your job, the friends who understood you, you lose your country, you lose your sense of safety. This is the reality faced by D. Kiril and his family, refugees from the besieged region of Donetsk.
At 50 years old, D. Kiril carries the weight of his past, now just a blurry memory. Alongside his wife, a 48-year-old woman, and their 2-year-old child, their search for safety brought them to the heart of Moldova. Their steps led them to Dondușeni, an improvised refuge in a modest home, where a small room became their universe. It is not the apartment they once knew, but the warmth and peace of the place fill their days. Every breath is a reminder of the life they left behind: a life full of friends, a job, a country.

The impact of war goes beyond material losses. D. Kiril has struggled with panic attacks and anxiety, symptoms that sent him to the hospital repeatedly. Every day has been an internal battle, amplified by fears for his health, as he fought fever and the agonizing wait for oncological test results. In this time of uncertainty, hope becomes a fragile beacon in the night.

Moldova has opened its arms to them, not only through shelter but also through emotional support. In Chișinău, at their meeting with the psychologist from the Center, G. Cașu, 32, D. Kiril and his family found a safe and open space where they could express their fears, doubts, and hopes. The center’s psychologists were there for D. Kiril, offering him emotional support and a shoulder to lean on.

D. Kiril’s story is a testament to human resilience in the face of adversity, a chronicle of loss and rediscovery in a new beginning. In this corner of the world, in Dondușeni, hope is making its way through the ruins of their former life, and each day brings the promise of a better tomorrow.

This activity is part of the program “Improving access to essential health services and protection against gender-based violence for refugees from Ukraine and those in host communities,” supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Moldova) in the Republic of Moldova and funded by the European Union.

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