TRAIN CHISINAU – KYIV. A NEW WAVE OF REFUGEES
The Chisinau-Kiev train has brought a new wave of Ukrainian refugees today. Families are seeking refuge in areas far from the war, are searching a peaceful place and a normal life.
Natalia and Ana came from Kharkiv. Natalia is around 50 years old, and Ana – 30. They met on the train, and the coincidence made them experience similar events. Both are going to England, and Chisinau is a place of transit. Natalia finds the silence from here unusual and the alarm is still ringing in her ears. Since the beginning of the war she has not left Ukraine. She tearfully recounts the event that caused her to leave. She witnessed an artillery attack, which hit a family with a 3-month-old child. Only the woman survived. The man was killed by the explosion, and its blast threw the child onto the awning of the store.
Ana says that she can no longer be in that environment. She lives on the 10th floor, with no electricity, no elevators, in a constant roar of sirens and alarms going on dozens of times a day. She declares herself exhausted both physically and emotionally. She has the flag of Ukraine on her backpack. She takes it to England. "Our people are everywhere, I will find a place for myself there too." She leaves with the hope that she will return soon, but already in peace and well-being.
Each train is welcomed in Chisinau by "Safe space" employees, an assistance service provided by "Homecare" with the support of UNFPA. Ukrainian refugees can receive advice and assistance as needed, and information on how to interact with the Moldovan authorities. The safe space, set up in the train station, is a stopping place especially for families and women, where they can take of themselves and their babies. This service is extremely popular and appreciated by mothers with children.
Alina Țurcanu, social worker in "Safe space" says that ”our role is to guide and offer assistance to those who request and need it. Our concern is especially women, children and people in need. Our area of activity is the railway station and we try to be available and of help to anyone who needs it”.
The "Safe Space" within the Chisinau train station has been operating since November 2023. During this period, almost 2,000 people received assistance through this service. Two psychologists and a social worker are working within these assistance point.
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