"This financial aid practically saved us"

For many families from Ukraine, the dream of a peaceful and prosperous life was shattered by the war that broke out on February 24, 2022. The story of 26-year-old Natalia from Odesa is just one of the many tragedies experienced by refugees. The young mother, together with her two children, was forced to flee the armed conflict and found refuge in Chișinău, at a Center where she received support and warmth for a new beginning.

The family lives at the "SOS Autism" Center in Chișinău. The Center has hosted them since March 2023, when they decided to leave their home in Ukraine and seek safe shelter in the Republic of Moldova, where Natalia's mother and sister reside.

Upon arriving in Moldova, they searched for a place they could call "home," even if only for a short time. "We searched for a long time before finding this Center, especially since I was already pregnant with Xenia at the time," Natalia explains.

Natalia dedicates her days to caring for her two children, three-year-old Ivan and newborn Xenia.

"Before the war, our life in Ukraine was very peaceful," Natalia recalls with a distant look in her eyes. "We had an apartment in Tatarbunary, and later we moved to Odesa, where we managed to buy a house with everything we needed. I never thought I would have to leave that place".

Although the journey to Chișinău was easier because the young family already had loved ones there, Natalia left behind her father and many close friends. "It was extremely hard to leave, and now we miss them, especially my dad. At that moment, though, we had no choice", she says with a trembling voice.

Soon, the youngest member of the family, Xenia, was born. At childbirth, Natalia benefited from a one-time assistance of 20,000 lei, a financial support that has already been received by over 90,000 mothers, including 248 refugee women, since the start of the war in Ukraine.

"This financial aid practically saved us," says Natalia. "The money came exactly when we needed it the most. We bought clothes, toys, diapers, and other essentials for Xenia".

Starting January 1, 2024, the one-time childbirth allowance was increased by 9,068 lei, from 10,932 to 20,000 lei. The increase in the one-time childbirth allowance is one of the measures outlined in the Government's activity program "Prosperous, Safe, European Moldova," aimed at supporting families and reducing child poverty. The one-time childbirth assistance is provided by the National House of Social Insurance and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in partnership with UNICEF, with support from the Government of Switzerland. This allowance can also be accessed by refugee mothers from Ukraine who have registered for temporary protection in the Republic of Moldova.

A day in the life of Natalia in Chișinău is simple but filled with love and sacrifice.

"I wake up early in the morning, feed Xenia, and then take care of Ivan. Sometimes we go for a walk in the park to enjoy the fresh air, but I miss our home in Ukraine, where I always felt safe and knew we were at home", she says, with a slight sadness in her voice.

Still, the young mother hasn't stopped dreaming of a better future. "I would like to learn Romanian, so I can communicate well with the people in Moldova. It's hard, especially with a newborn, but I think that when Xenia grows up, I will be able to attend classes," she confesses.

Although she still hopes that one day she and her family will be able to return to Ukraine, Natalia acknowledges that Moldova has now become a special place for them: "I would love to find a permanent place to live here, especially if we can't return home. Our dream is to sell the house in Odesa and buy a home here in Chișinău, or even outside the city".

The one-time childbirth allowance was more than just material help for Natalia and her family – it was a sign of support, acceptance, and solidarity. "For all the mothers going through such situations, this financial help is very important. Children need so many things, especially when they are small, and this money allowed us to provide Xenia with everything necessary", says Natalia.

Since the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ukraine, over a million refugees have passed through Moldova, and currently, around 120,000 Ukrainians are in the country, including 52,000 children. The Government of the Republic of Moldova, UNICEF, and its partners have committed to responding to the protection needs of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.