Taisia, 71, and Anatolii, 74, are married and have two children. Their life a Odessain southern Ukraine, one of the most contested areas of the conflict, became impossible when Russia invaded the country in February 2022. Faced with the escalation of the war, the children of Anatolii and Taisia, worried about their parents’ safety, they convinced them to seek refuge in Moldova. In April, two months after the invasion began, with few personal effects and accompanied by their two dogs, they left their home and found refuge in the Refugee Accommodation Center (RAC) of Valea Rediului, in Moldova. «Here we have everything we need. We feel calm, at peace. Our room, complete with balcony and bathroom, offers comfort”, they say, “the warmth of the room in winter, the hot water and the presence of a washing machine make our life easier. The staff are exceptional. We may not be in our original home, but we are happy.”
Moldova is the first outpost where Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war arrive. Today there are about 120 thousand, 17% of whom are elderly, while among refugees with disabilities, 6% of the total, almost half are elderly.
To support these people theUNHCRthe UN refugee agency, launched the project “Support for elderly and disabled refugees” created in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social ProtectionAnd. In the context of this initiative, the support of Amplifon Foundation which contributed to the renovation of the Valea Rediului reception centre, a facility specialized in offering assistance to the elderly and disabled.
As of 2022, this center has played an essential role in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. Currently it hosts 177 people, including 20 refugees with disabilities and 8 particularly elderly ones who require medical rehabilitation services. «In addition to providing accommodation», explains the UNHCR in a note, «the center provides different types of assistance, including medical and rehabilitation. The renovation works carried out have prioritized accessibility for residents with reduced mobility, ensuring that they can move safely and comfortably within the centre. In the coming weeks the facility will begin to welcome new residents including other refugees, ensuring that they can receive the assistance appropriate to their psychophysical conditions.”
In addition to improving the logistical and hygienic-health conditions and consequently the living conditions of the Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan citizens present, the center facilitates access to specific services by also supporting local institutions and organizations in their provision.
One of the aims of the project is to promote social cohesion in the community by organizing events that encourage the inclusion of older refugees in the rest of Moldovan society.
After more than two years of conflict, the UN agency explains, the situation in Ukraine remains disastrous 14.6 million people (equal to 40% of the population) requires humanitarian aid. They are about 3 million and 700 thousand people fled their homes and are currently displaced while over 6 million have left the country and taken refuge in Europe.
