Help keep the Ukrainian refugee center safe.

On the 28thof September PeaceWinds Korea emergency aid team has departed to Moldova, a country near Ukraine, for Ukraine refugee support.

The new member of Peace Winds Korea, Shin Soyeon informed us about the situation of Ukraine refugees in Moldova.

We would  like to share with you.

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Hello,

This is Shin Soyeon, an intern of PeaceWinds Korea.

On October 1st we were invited to the Chisinau Economic Forum, a platform for discussion and debate on the investment and development potential of Chisinau Municipality, Moldova.

So in this letter I would like to tell you about this Economic Forum, where we could get a lot of information about the financial situation and refugee problems in Moldova.

At the forum, Chisinau City presented detailed plans for the future until 2025, 2030 and 2035 years, but revealed the fact that the financial situation isn’t good due to the continued economic crisis and refugee problems.

Chisinau has been trying to revitalize the local economy by increasing the number of tourists. And they want to cooperate with with various countries. I think maybe after the end of the Ukraine-Russian War, it might be possible to promote a sustainable tourism industry with Chisinau while carrying out reconstruction projects.

On the first day, we met a child named Tanya at the refugee shelter. She wanted to play the piano, so she drew the piano keys on paper. Today, Peacewinds Korea bought the piano for Tanya. After seeing her happy and overjoyed face I understand that I really wish children always smile and wish all their dreams come true.

We also had a chance to interview a young couple who came to Moldova after a war broke out in Ukraine. They said the war began a week after their wedding. Anya from Ukraine, and Vadim from Kazakhstan. The war caused visa problems and they couldn’t even enter to Kazakhstan. So they came to Moldova, where they don't need a visa. They mentioned that their newlywed life was ruined due to war.

Vadim, who worked as an engineer in Kazakhstan, is now temporarily employed by Peace Winds Korea to help, but he is waiting for the war to end as soon as possible.They said that if the war is prolonged, they will start to learn other languages and try to find a job, but it will probably not be easy. 

Also we had a chance to interview another refugee, Mr.Kalina. She had one son in her only family, and he conscripted and currently guards the city in Ukraine. She is worried about her son and she message him every day and said that he always replies that his son is ok. She said her son sent her here to Moldova, where she plans to stay until her son calls her back. She said she’s been in shelter for half a year already. She also said the war, which lasted more than half a year, makes impossible to see family that she miss so much and love. She misses her son very much.

When asked what what kind of support they need, they said that they are truly thankful for the support you've given so far and that they are really appreciate our efforts to help.

And last, everyone we met in Moldova is worried about coming November and December. Because winter there is really cold and freezing. Not only the refugee center workers, but also the director of the Health and Social Affairs Bureau and interpreters were afraid of upcoming cold winter. And after that day I keep thinking about how they can go through this winter warmly and safely. I really hope everything will be fine! 

30th of September 

PeaceWinds Korea, Shin Soyeon