It is the fastest exodus since the Second World War. More than 2.5 million people have already fled the war in Ukraine, two weeks after the Russian invasion, according to the UN. Aid agencies expected 4 million people to flee the country in the first six months of the offensive, but the exodus is such that those forecasts are almost certain to be shattered. Ukraine’s neighboring countries, such as Moldova, are struggling to cope with this massive influx of refugees. RFI contacted Erno Simon, the Hungarian representative of the United Nations Refugee Agency currently in Moldova.
RFI: Erno Simon, why were you sent to Moldova?
Erno Simon: Moldova is in a special situation because it is not a member of the European Union and it is one of the poorest countries in Europe with a population of 2 million. In two weeks, more than 300,000 refugees arrived in Moldova. More than 50% of those who arrive quickly leave for other neighboring countries such as Romania. But more than 100,000 people are still here and it’s very complicated to house them, feed them and take care of them. So I was sent here temporarily. Before this crisis, we only had one person here. Today we are more than 30. I have to admit: it’s a huge challenge because the situation is really unpredictable. It changes from hour to hour.
What is the situation on the ground?
Refugees who decide to stay are welcomed. There is general solidarity and compassion among the population. Everyone is trying to help. In addition, it’s very cold right now, -6 degrees and it’s snowing. There are thousands of people waiting in the cold at the border to enter the country. These refugees are taken to temporary accommodation centers for the first 24-48 hours, where they have access to water, food, heating, etc. Many families also welcome Ukrainians into their homes. But what is even more important is that Moldova needs outside help. Romania has agreed to create a humanitarian corridor that would allow refugees to be sent directly from the Moldovan border to Romania. Several buses have brought back hundreds of refugees since Thursday, March 10, already. It is a very nice gesture of solidarity on the part of Bucharest towards the Moldovan government and people.
So you are in the field, you work directly with the refugees. Who are they ? What are they telling you?
We usually see women and children arriving. We see a few elderly or disabled people but there are no men in this huge crowd. Women arrive without their husbands and children without their fathers. Yesterday (Thursday) I was hit by a mother and her two children who were at the border. Her 4 year old son was crying very hard and shaking. I thought it was because of the cold, but his mother explained to me that he was crying because he was afraid he wouldn’t see his father back home.
What are the main demands of the UN Refugee Agency?
We would like to raise even more funds to be able to continue to help the refugees who arrive here. But the main request to all countries in Europe, not just neighboring countries, is that they keep their borders open and continue to express their solidarity with those refugees who are forced to leave their homes and cities in order to flee this violence and this conflict.
