Raisa’s Story: A Lifetime of Displacement and WFP’s Lifeline of Support

Born in Pripyat, near Chernobyl, she was first uprooted in 1986 when the nuclear disaster forced the evacuation of her hometown. Moldova became her refuge then, and decades later – history repeated itself. 

In March 2022, the war in Ukraine drove Raisa and her family to seek safety once again in Moldova. “No one welcomes you like the Moldovans,” Raisa says with a warm smile. “And thanks to the World Food Programme, we never had to worry about food. We receive three meals per day—we are so grateful.”

From the earliest days of the conflict, the World Food Programme (WFP), together with its implementing partners and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP), has played a vital role in supporting refugees like Raisa. Through its hot meals programme in Refugee Accommodation Centres (RACs), WFP helped alleviate the immediate food needs of refugees while restoring their dignity and a sense of stability. Since 2022, WFP has served more than 6.2 million hot meals across all accredited RACs in Moldova—supporting many families for over three years. 

For Raisa, these meals were more than sustenance. They provided routine, comfort and a sense of normalcy during some of her most uncertain days. Her family remained in the RAC for over two and a half years, until it closed in October 2024. As part of Moldova’s Refugee Response Plan, international organizations, in collaboration with the government, helped Raisa and her family secure new housing-support that, together with her daughter’s income, allowed them to start rebuilding. 

WFP’s role remains critical given the depth of vulnerability within the refugee population. According to the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine situation, over 81% of refugees in Moldova are women and children, 23% are aged 60 or older, and 10% live with disabilities. According to the Plan, UNHCR’s findings have indicated that nearly one in three refugees in Moldova are classified as highly or extremely vulnerable – underscoring the essential role of continued food assistance and protection-focused support.

As Moldova consolidates its RAC network – closing 18 centres in 2024 – support from WFP and other UN agencies remains critical. This assistance not only addresses urgent humanitarian needs but also supports the transition of refugees into Moldovan society.

The manager of Raisa’s former RAC shared that while some families moved into private rentals, over 60% of the most vulnerable refugees, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, were transferred to other RACs. These are the individuals for whom WFP’s support has been most essential.

Today, Raisa and her family live in a rented apartment in Moldova. She is safe – but her heart is tied to the home she left behind. 

“We’re safe now, and for that, I’m thankful. But I miss the happiness of being with all the people I love in Ukraine.”