The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to separate children from their families

Eleven-year-old Oskar, from Ukraine, offers a warm hug to Red, the cat who has become his unwavering companion in Moldova. With the intention of immortalizing their bond for eternity, the two eagerly prepare themselves to be captured in a photo. 

It's been almost eight months since Oskar last saw his father and around a year since he was separated from his mother, siblings, grandmother, and friends in Ukraine. He fled the war with his father in March 2023. After a few months of refuge in Moldova, Oskar's father had to leave the country and his son at the border in the care of child protection specialists. The child received psychological counseling and was taken into foster care by a family from Viscauti village, Orhei district. It is a social service developed by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. 

Lucia, the professional parental assistant, recounts that the adaptation period lasted only a few days. She and her husband did everything in their power to make the child feel safe. "One day, he ran out of the yard, and I found him crying. He told me he wanted to go back to his father. I asked him to be patient," says Lucia as the boy plays with the cat in the yard. Before Oskar's arrival, the family's home was already a haven of peace and safety for about ten other children in difficult situations who benefited from the foster care social service. Lucia, a mother of three, reveals that her mission to help children separated from their families stems from her own childhood trauma. "I was abandoned by my parents and raised only by my grandmother. I decided to make someone else's life beautiful and make children not feel alone. Before making the decision, I asked for my children's advice, and they told me they are proud of me and will always support me," shares Lucia. 

”They are my second family” Oskar

The war has stolen his stability, family, and friends, but not the joy of being a child. Oskar is full of energy, with a radiant smile. He continues his education at the local school, learns Romanian, and has made new playmates. "School is good, but sometimes I don't understand the language well. I like physical education class the most because I can run and play ball. I prefer playing basketball," the boy says. 

Love and peace are the pillars of Lucia's home, providing a nurturing environment for Oskar's growth. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his friends and discovering the joy of fishing with Lucia's husband, Dumitru. "I really like this place. I can do whatever I want. Of course, Ukraine is better because I can understand everyone there, but it's the same here. I have everything I need. They are my second family," says Oskar. Asked about his future aspirations, he shares a few options. "I'd like to work at the zoo or be a veterinarian because I love cats and dogs. Also, I'd like to be a pastry chef because I love sweets, even though I've already lost two teeth because of them," says Oskar, laughing.  

Indeed, Lucia tries to provide the warmth of a family and ensure continuous communication between Oskar and his family. "He often speaks on the phone with his grandmother, father, and brothers. His grandmother tells me about how their town is bombed, and all I wish is for the war to end and the children of Ukraine to return to their homes. Meanwhile, I try to talk to Oskar as much as possible about his feelings and offer him the freedom he needs. I know my mission is to help him, and I hope he'll remember me and my love when he grows up," says Lucia. 

Since the beginning of the war, child protection specialists, supported by UNICEF, have identified more than 1,000 unaccompanied or separated children at the border, who have benefited from access to protection services, counseling, and shelter. Among them, 20 have been integrated into foster care families in Moldova and UNICEF continues to support these children to ensure family reunification or long-term solutions. 

Oskar's story is also the story of many other children who need support to survive the war and other difficult situations. UNICEF and its partners work together to ensure that every child, wherever they may be, receives care in a family environment. Hundreds of kilometers from the front line, Oskar is safe and protected from the violence of war but not from missing his family. 

In this context, to ensure the ongoing protection and harmonious development of the boy, child protection specialists and social workers are working together to reintegrate Oskar into his biological family. "I miss my brothers, sister, and mother, everyone. In Ukraine, I had a cat named Marquise and two dogs whom I love very much. In school, I was the best in my class. My friends in Ukraine ask me when I'm coming back, but I don't think I'll be back soon." Oskar says. 

UNICEF thanks donors, such as the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), through the German Development Bank (KfW), for supporting the foster care social service.