More than 500,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed the Polish, Moldavian and Romanian borders according to the count of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In Romania, half have already left the country for other destinations abroad. Some have chosen to stay like Anastasia, 36, who crossed the border two days ago, Sunday February 27, with her 8-year-old daughter in Siret, in northern Romania.
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Hosted by a volunteer, Anastasia “the refugee” has become a volunteer interpreter on the border. She slips into the crowd. On the phone, a family seems lost in front of customs: the young woman rushes to find them. A hug is worth more than words. Anastasia guides Ioula and the children to a warm tent, where they will complete the formalities before boarding a bus.
At the border between Ukraine and Romania, Anastasia’s dedication to helping refugees. The report by Mathilde Dehim
to listen
Nothing distinguishes her from the other volunteers except when her phone rings. She’s shaking, her throat tightens, then she smiles. This time, it’s his cousin who tells him that they are close to the border but two days ago, she called to tell him of the death of his uncle. “He was not in the army, he is a pensionersays Anastasia. He was hiding in the basement with his family, in a small village near Donetsk but it is in Ukrainian territory. The Russians were firing rockets at the houses, so he decided to come out and tell them to stop firing. They shot him.”
Donetsk, a Russian-speaking and separatist city in the east, is the birthplace of Anastasia’s family: “It’s a huge tragedy for my family… In 2014, when the Russians invaded us, we left for a safer place, we settled in different parts of Ukraine, my sister in Kiev, my mother near from the Polish border and my friends live in Kharkiv and Kiev, I am still in shock.” Her father who works in Moscow is blocked and must hide, her husband has joined the army.
“My father promised me that he would do his best to protect us, protect our land, to do everything so that we can return home as soon as possible.”
Another family calls, Anastasia finally feels useful. “After this busy day, I feel better because I was able to help. I hope I am tired enough to finally be able to sleep”, says the Ukrainian. But first, she publishes a new video on Instagram with new advice for crossing the border.