Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, the global Red Cross network has stood by and assisted people as they have faced the most heartbreaking of circumstances. For its part, the American Red Cross has funded cash assistance and other aid to Ukrainians both in Ukraine and in the surrounding region, including in Moldova.
‘Our Lives Are Hanging In The Air’ “I really want to go home, we miss Ukraine very much, we miss our home,” said Maryna Sereda, a Ukrainian refugee, from her current home in Moldova. “But it’s still dangerous, it’s not safe.” It’s a feeling echoed by nearly all Ukrainian beneficiaries we have spoken with.
As the escalation of the conflict enters its twentieth month, more than five million Ukrainians are displaced within Ukraine and Maryna is one of some six million Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their country, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
We first met Maryna in her Chisinau apartment in February around the time of the one-year mark of the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. For Maryna and other refugees like her, the one-year mark was a difficult milestone psychologically, because it represented the continuation of the conflict in a very real way. We recently caught up with Maryna during the Jewish High Holidays, and Maryna told us her concerns have only grown.
“Our lives are hanging in the air. We are not there, we are not really here, we are still strangers here, like passengers at an airport,” Maryna said. For her loved ones still in Ukraine life is even harder still. “My friends are still hearing alarms, nobody feels safe, no one knows anything. We don’t know how long the war will be… I wish this [Jewish] new year will bring peace for Ukraine.”
The international armed conflict, which escalated on February 24th of last year, is ongoing with no clear end in sight. Maryna is living in Moldova with her three children and elderly mother. Her one-year-old was born in Chisinau. Her husband, meanwhile, remains in Ukraine because they own a small business that makes and sells parts for heating equipment and this is their main source of income.
“I’m worried that it’s not the childhood I wanted for my children,” Maryna said between sighs. Her eldest daughter has been studying online and recently finished fourth grade, but Maryna said it’s unclear how much longer the online school instruction will continue. She doesn’t have friends like she did in Ukraine. Her middle son is four and has to speak Romanian at school. Maryna added that the children also miss their dad who they were able to see for their baby brother’s first birthday in July.
The generosity of American Red Cross donors has made a difference in the lives of thousands of Ukrainians, Maryna is one of them. Maryna has received Red Cross multi-purpose cash assistance as well as regular financial assistance from UNHCR. Maryna said she cannot work because of her infant son and she can’t leave the baby alone with her mother. Despite the fact most Moldovans speak Russian, she said it is difficult to find work without speaking the local Romanian language.
Grateful for Cash Assistance In the city of Gyor in northwestern Hungary, Masha is a young expectant mother from Mariupol, who has also benefitted from Red Cross multi-purpose cash assistance. Ukraine shares a border with Hungary, but Masha traveled through several countries before settling in Hungary. Her parents left Mariupol, but ended up returning since the area is fully under Russian control and they felt airstrikes were less likely. It’s a major cause for concern for Masha, but finances are difficult and she also has elderly grandparents still in Mariupol. Her parents are just some of thousands of Ukrainians who have either returned or go back and forth, usually returning to areas of Ukraine less impacted by the conflict. Masha said she is grateful for the cash assistance because it gives her some sense of control when so much is out of her hands. “I was able to buy medicine and save money for the birth of my baby,” Masha said.
American Red Cross Funds Assist Ukrainians both Outside and Inside the Country
The American Red Cross has donated a total of $24.5 million dollars to support the work of other Red Cross National Societies such as the Polish Red Cross, Romanian Red Cross, and Hungarian Red Cross who are assisting Ukrainians who have fled their country, as well as the Ukrainian Red Cross Society’s work in country. Partners, such as the German Red Cross and Danish Red Cross help American Red Cross reach some of the most vulnerable people throughout Ukraine.
The needs in Ukraine are great as the escalation of the conflict continues to impact millions of people. The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka Dam in June also impacted already hard-hit communities in southern Ukraine.
The American Red Cross has also provided $25.6 million in funds to external partners assisting Ukrainians, including International Medical Corps (IMC) in Ukraine. Thanks to American Red Cross support, IMC has been able to help the only blood bank in Kharkiv Oblast to continue operating. The blood bank is also now serving hard-hit Donetsk.
When the conflict escalated, the Kharkiv blood bank was hit fifteen times, but the local teams never stopped working and were able to relocate underground. American Red Cross funds have been crucial to procuring the equipment necessary to continue blood collection in the newly refurbished underground facility.
The need for blood grew exponentially as the conflict escalated, said Dr. Claudia Hattinger, with International Medical Corps. According to Dr. Hattinger, Ukrainians in Kharkiv stepped up to the plate to continue donating blood despite safety concerns. “They are very proud, are a resilient people, they love their country and want to help, “Dr. Hattinger said via video conference from Ukraine.
The conflict created a greater need for blood products not just from direct hits but also because of the proliferation of landmines, Dr. Hattinger said. And there is still a need for blood transfusions for people who have suffered accidents, who have pregnancy complications, or are going through cancer treatment. “Every bag of blood that we collect is a success story, every bag of blood that we collect can save lives,” Dr. Hattinger said.
“We are so grateful for the people who haven’t forgotten us” Back in Moldova, Maryna ended our conversation saying she understands the news cycle moves on, but she’s grateful for those around the world who haven’t forgotten her and other families like hers. “We understand that everyone is tired of this situation, everyone is tired of the war, and hearing about our needs,” Maryna said. “But we are so grateful for the people who haven’t forgotten us, who have helped us and we believe that one day we will be able to go back home to Ukraine.”
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
