Chisinau - “I spent the entire night unable to sleep due to the overwhelming rush of emotions. It's our first time taking a flight, for me, my sons, and our dog. We can’t imagine going somewhere without him. We are optimistic, and we hope everything will be fine”. 

Tatiana, from Odesa, is preparing to depart from the international airport in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. Accompanying her are her two sons and their cherished dog – “We can’t imagine going somewhere without him” - are going to take a flight to Bordeaux, France.

“Living in Odesa with the sound of military planes and drones, with the bombing alarms daily, was too difficult for us. We had to leave Ukraine. After we arrived in Chisinau, we decided to leave for France, Bordeaux, because we have some friends there who were previous beneficiaries of IOM projects. We don’t know French, but I think English will help us for in the first period. 
I am moving mostly for the future of my kids. We don’t know when this war will end, but children need to study and build their future. If this war ends soon, we want to return to our country, but if it will not, we want to build a normal life in the EU. 
Thank you, IOM, for all your support and assistance, we felt respected and supported during the whole process, from registration to the boarding procedures.”

The IOM Moldova Resettlement and Movement Management Team is responsible for implementing various types of resettlement activities and support to all IOM movement operations which include air transportation to European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) Member States.

In Moldova, RMM Team, in coordination with the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova, is continuously at work to support Ukrainian refugees and Third Country Nationals. 

Since the beginning of the war, February 2022, the IOM Moldova Resettlement and Movement Management Team transferred through air transportation 2,217 people 64,7% are women, 25,7% are minors), in 14 countries: Austria, Germany, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Netherlands Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland.

Alyona, from Odessa, and her 10-year-old daughter Aleksandra have been in Moldova for almost a year. They enjoyed it, since it makes them feel very close to home, but Aliona decided to apply for a transfer to go to France, for better future opportunities. Alyona's eldest daughter remained in Moldova, she will join her mother and her sister after finishing her work commitments. 

 “It was not an easy decision to leave. But we heard many positive reviews from acquaintances who left through this program. I think my daughter will have more opportunities in education. It will be something new and interesting for both of you. I hope she will integrate well into a new community”. 

In Ukraine, Alyona organized children's parties, weddings and birthdays. This was her work, which she is eager to do in France as well. 

“In 6 months, I hope we will forget, at least for a while, all the stress we are going through. This departure will bring us something new, new people and opportunities. But we still hope to return to our lovely city of Odessa.”

These IOM Moldova operations take place thanks to the generous support of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for EU Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

(Photos / Thank you to the Border Police and Moldovan Authorities for authorizing and assisting IOM Moldova to take photos inside the Chisinau International Airport).

***

For more information, please contact: 
Riccardo Severi, Project Officer - Media and Communications, IOM Moldova 
rseveri@iom.int