Support at Palanca Border
In the neutral zone of the Palanca border, Ștefan Vodă, Safe Space operates in collaboration with Homecare and UNFPA. Safe Spaces are operational from Monday to Friday, and sometimes on weekends or holidays such as March 8th.
Ukrainian refugees arrive here, either with Moldova as their destination or transiting through to Romania and then to other European destinations. The staff, including the Safe Space psychologist, provides consultations on critical issues such as gender equality, protection against gender-based violence, and access to essential health services. Psychological or emotional first aid is also offered when needed, along with additional consultations on various topics (residency regulations, temporary protection, financial assistance, transportation services, accommodation, and urgent medical care). For refugee women considered to be in extremely vulnerable situations, personalized hygiene kits are distributed, including sanitary products tailored to their specific needs.
On one occasion, Olga, a 61-year-old woman from the Odesa region, along with her 90-year-old mother Efrosinia, was provided assistance. They were temporarily in Moldova visiting friends and intended to travel to relatives in Europe. Encouraged by their children, who reside in France, and driven by the recent violent events in their region, they decided to leave their home. The experiences they endured, marked by fear of missile strikes and bombings, led them to seek refuge and safety, leaving behind their home and work in an attempt to escape the horrors of war. During the consultation, Olga received emotional support, expressing deep gratitude for the hospitality and assistance offered by the Moldovan community through Safe Space at the Palanca border.
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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