The woman who refuses to let war define her

Not an absence of life, but a silence filled with waiting. Waiting to be seen, to be heard, to belong once more. 

Victoria Logvinova is waiting, too. 

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, now 83 years old, Victoria has spent more than half a century in the world of music. A conductor, a professor, a woman who dedicated her life to guiding orchestras and shaping generations of musicians—Victoria never imagined she would ever have to leave her home. 

But in February 2022, everything changed.   

Victoria’s quiet routine ended abruptly when bombs started falling. After weeks of uncertainty and fear, she and her daughter, Olena, decided it was too dangerous to stay. In early March, they joined thousands of others fleeing Ukraine, crossing the border into Moldova, leaving everything behind—her home, her roots and her past. 

“We had no choice,” Victoria says. “It wasn’t about choosing to leave—it was the only way to survive.” 

For an older person, displacement is more than losing a home. It is losing stability, familiarity, and independence. She remembers the exhaustion, the fear, the uncertainty. But more than anything, she remembers the hands that helped her, the people who carried her forward. The volunteers who guided her at the border, the Moldovans who welcomed her with warmth.   

“I lost so much, but I also found kindness. Moldova gave me a place to feel safe, to feel human again. And for that, I will always be grateful.”  

Victoria and her daughter were among the thousands of refugees who arrived in Moldova, leaving behind everything they once knew. The country has received the most refugees from Ukraine per capita, of which more than 127,000 refugees have chosen to remain in the country. To support the most vulnerable, including older people and persons with disabilities, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, launched a cash assistance programme just three weeks after the war escalated, ensuring refugees like Victoria could cover their most urgent needs. Since then, over 135,000 individuals have received at least one round of cash assistance.   

At the centre, Victoria’s days move at a different rhythm now. She no longer stands before an orchestra, but music has never left her. In the quiet moments, she hums familiar melodies, tapping invisible notes on the armrest of her chair. Her fingers still conduct, even if only in memory.

“Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can still hear the orchestra,” she says with a soft smile. “I don’t need a stage. The music is always here. It always stays with me.” 

Some days, Victoria shares stories from her years with other residents. They listen, reflecting on their own pasts, finding comfort in memories that still connect them. 

“We have all lost something,” Victoria says, “but we find pieces of ourselves in each other.” 

War took away Victoria’s home, but it did not take away her story.  

“You do not stop being yourself just because life changes,” she says.  

For persons with disabilities and older people, the challenges of forced displacement go beyond loss—they include barriers to access to humanitarian aid, healthcare, information, and social inclusion.  

UNHCR is working closely with the Government of Moldova, NGOs like Keystone Moldova, and other organizations representing persons with disabilities, to ensure vulnerable refugees and host communities receive the specialized support they need to access services and rebuild their lives. 

Practical support makes a difference. Assistive devices—from wheelchairs to hearing aids—help restore mobility and independence, while medical care and therapy provide much-needed stability. 

Access to key information is equally critical. To ensure refugees with disabilities can navigate their rights, information is made available in sign language and alternative formats through a dedicated hotline, which provided personalized assistance to over 400 individuals only in 2024. 

Beyond services, inclusion is about dignity. Trained frontline workers and humanitarian teams are strengthening inclusive services, helping refugees with disabilities not only access assistance but also navigate their new reality with security and respect. 

This support, including cash assistance, mental health services, and targeted aid for older refugees and persons with disabilities, is delivered across Moldova thanks to the generous partnership with the Italian Development Cooperation. The combined efforts of Italian public and private resources play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable and inclusive support for vulnerable refugees and host communities. Notably, the Refugee Accommodation Centre in Chișinău, where Victoria resides, was transformed into a more secure and comfortable living space through the contribution of an Italian Foundation, Amplifon. Fondazione Amplifon’s support facilitated the comprehensive renovation of communal areas and the installation of accessibility features, significantly enhancing the dignity and well-being of its residents. 

Because for Victoria and many other refugees, starting over is not just about finding a home—it is about finding hope. Moldova has provided hope, but the work is not over. Rebuilding lives takes time, and recovery is only possible with sustained support.  

“Hate destroys,” Victoria says softly. “But love gives us back what we lose. Love helps us move forward.”