Millions of Ukrainians are forced to flee their country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Since the end of February, millions of Ukrainian refugees have been forced out of their homes and are looking to other countries for a helping hand.
More than 6 million Ukrainians are being forced to leave their homeland and around 8 million of them are being displaced within their own borders.
“Not since World War II has such a massive wave of human dislodgement taken place within Europe,” said the Los Angeles Times.
Large numbers of Ukrainian refugees had to find a safe haven amongst their neighboring countries. This is why thousands of Ukrainian families have sought refuge in places like Moldova, Hungary and Poland.
However, the journey to get to these Eastern European countries was another challenge in itself. According to Vox News, “The refugees are arriving by crammed-full trains, by car, and even on foot after walking for dozens of miles.”
These European countries are opening-up their borders and many civilians are making room in their homes for the thousands that have been displaced. Poland is also helping shuttle Ukranians to one of nine reception sites, so they can receive meals, medical attention and legal services. They have serviced around 2,500 apartments for Ukrainian refugees to use.
The United States has also opened up their borders to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. President Biden said that the U.S. should take part in shouldering the burden of the refugee crisis. The United States is already hosting thousands of refugees. The New York Times reported that they will be receiving “the full range of legal pathways” and they will either be provided with permanent residence or a green card.
The journey to arrive in the United States hasn’t been easy for many Ukrainian refugees. Some had to take a detour into Mexico so they could cross the Southern Border of the U.S. Those refugees are seeking a similar type of protection as the migrants from Central America. Ukrainians are being put in deportation proceedings, meaning that the immigration officer will decide whether someone can remain in the U.S., according to the New York Times.
All of these Ukrainian refugees are grappling with the uncertainty of their future.
Yaroslava Risukhina, a Ukrainian refugee from Sievierodonetsk, has relocated to Ireland with her son and daughter. Their home city was transformed into a battleground this past summer and it’s unclear when they’ll be able to return. For now, Risukhina is focused on getting her children enrolled in school. “It’s like walking in the fog,” she told The New York Times, “You just take it step by step.” Tomorrow isn’t promised for everyone, but now Risukhina is understanding more of what that really means.
In Donegal, Ireland, where Risukhina and her children are staying, the community is finding ways to help support the Ukrainian refugees. They have started charities, which aid newcomers with finding jobs and looking for schools.
Oksana Krysyska and Switlana Pirch, originally from Ukraine, also live in Donegal but have been there for many more years than Risukhina and her family. They have supported the refugee crisis by answering emails from Ukranians across the country.
Even with a dire war going on, there are people across the world showing their solidarity for Ukraine by rearranging their lives to welcome in these strangers.