I was born in Moldova, when it was a part of the Soviet Union. I am proud of this tiny nation, helping so many Ukrainian refugees. Moldovans are very kind, very warm-hearted people
Posted on | March 5, 2022 | 1 Comment
Ukrainian refugees pour into Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest and smallest countries
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have arrived in Moldova, a small former Soviet state, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last week.
Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova is a country of just 2.6 million and one of Europe’s poorest nations, yet it has taken in a significant number of Ukrainians fleeing the war. As of Friday, more than 68,000 refugees of the 1 million who have fled Ukraine had arrived and stayed in Moldova, according to a government official.
Many of Ukraine’s neighbors — including Poland, Slovakia and Romania — have tried to help Ukrainians fleeing the war. But Moldova’s willingness to receive so many people, despite its small size and domestic problems, has stood out.
CNN’s Bianna Golodryga, who was born in Moldova when it was still part of the Soviet Union but was raised in Texas, praised the tiny nation in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. “Moldova (the country of my birth), has really stepped up throughout this crisis,” she tweeted.
Veaceslav Ionita, a former member of the Moldovan parliament, told Yahoo News that the country is doing everything it can to help its Ukrainian neighbors. “People are offering free transportation, accommodation, food — and everything the refugees need,” he said.
Ionita said the welcome mat has been laid out for all those fleeing Ukraine, regardless of their country of origin, including students and workers originally from Africa, Asia and Latin America. “Right now, my relatives have 30 Vietnamese students at home. Everyone is welcome in Moldova,” he said.
According to Ionita, 90 percent of the refugees are now being assisted by private companies, individuals and religious groups. The remaining 10 percent are served by public institutions. Moldovan authorities say they have established assistance centers at two border crossings with Ukraine, where those arriving are given food and temporary shelter, as well as assistance in finding more permanent accommodations.
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March 5th, 2022 @ 12:43 pm
Moldovan society is a very nice society since our own Dr Orly came from that “neck of the woods…!!”~~~