Psychosocial support helping Ukrainian refugees settle into new lives abroad
Above: Facilitator Cristina and a volunteer lead a music session at a refugee centre in Bucharest. Photo: ADRA Romania
Before their country was torn apart by war, Annalisa was living in Nikolaev, Ukraine, with her husband and two daughters, Natalia (13) and Vika (11). She and her husband had jobs, and were financially stable. Their daughters were enrolled in school and they lived a peaceful life.
All that changed in February 2022 when the war began. At first, Annalisa and her family fled to an old house in the countryside to try to escape the bombing. Then, leaving behind her husband who was not allowed to depart the country, Annalisa, her mother and her daughters crossed through Moldova and into Romania seeking safety, like some 8 million others who left Ukraine, according to UNHCR estimates.
When the crisis began, the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) quickly mobilised Australian Government funds to Plan Romania through Plan International Australia. This allowed for an immediate response to provide support to more than 900,000 Ukrainian refugees who had crossed the Romanian borders between February and April 2022.
Volunteers at the Romanian border helped Annalisa and her family to find temporary shelter in Bucharest. Annalisa was four months pregnant when they arrived. This made the situation extra stressful for Annalisa, as she had not discussed her pregnancy with anyone.
“I was on the brink of psychological breakdown and wanted to open up to someone about my situation, but I realised that we had a language barrier. I could see that my daughters’ psychological wellbeing was deteriorating quite rapidly. My elder daughter stopped communicating with me and was detached from everything, I did not know what to do for her,” Annalisa said.
“One day we all reached our limits and started shouting at each other. This was the point when the Shelter Coordinator intervened and defused the situation. After figuring out the root cause, he informed us about the services provided by ADRA.”
Plan International collaborates with ADRA Romania to provide child protection, education, mental health and psychosocial support, cash and voucher support, and other services to meet the basic needs of Ukrainian refugees.
ADRA runs programmes in the shelter where Annalisa and her family were living. They provide various child and family focused services, including recreational activities for children and counselling sessions for adults. A psychologist is on site to identify vulnerable cases in need of further support and safe referrals.
After the intervention by the Shelter Coordinator, Annalisa started attending group and individual sessions with the psychologist at the shelter.
Above: Children enjoy a music session at a refugee centre in Bucharest. Photo: ADRA Romania
“When we first met Annalisa and her daughters, it was quite evident that they were going through a lot of stress. Her daughters seemed traumatised and lost. Annalisa was also very reluctant to attend the sessions and activities we organise at the shelter for adults. Due to the language barrier she was hesitant in seeking medical support from gynaecologist. One of our translators is a former doctor, so we engaged her to speak to Annalisa in Ukrainian about seeking medical care, and after that we could see a drastic change,” says Cristina Roșu, Centre Coordinator for ADRA.
“She gradually overcame the depression and trauma, she seems like a whole new person now.”
ADRA staff also assessed Annalisa’s daughters. After arriving in Romania, Natalia started to have arguments with her mother and lost interest in most of her usual activities. She used to stay alone in her room all day and she did not want to attend group activities. However, her younger sister Vika started attending the activities regularly and encouraged Natalia to join as well.
“A significant change happened after she started participating in the recreational, interactive and educational activities and games,” Annalisa said. “My daughters now have a daily routine and something to look forward to. I can see a clear difference in Natalia’s attitude, she has now become more responsive and calm. I’m at peace knowing that my daughters are healing.”
In addition to the psychosocial support, Annalisa also received vouchers, hygiene products, clothing for the family, medicine, and a baby hygiene kit for her newborn. She was also assisted with legal advice, medical treatment and consultations during pregnancy, at the time of delivery, and during the postpartum period. ADRA staff ensured that Annalisa received a birth certificate for her newborn.
With AHP support, more than 8000 people have received mental health and psychosocial support through ADRA.
“I believe it is crucial to work with local partners, as these organisations have passion, willingness and commitment to prevent and respond to child protection issues and to work with the government institutions to strengthen the capacity of national structures in responding to the refugee crisis,” says Elena Dinon, Plan Romania’s Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist.
“The way our partner ADRA engages with the refugee communities from Ukraine is remarkable.”
Annalisa and her daughters eventually moved out of the shelter and into a rented house with the support of ADRA.
“I cannot forget the way ADRA staff extended their support the day I met them. I miss home and wish for the situation back home to get better. But I feel content that we have now moved from shelter to a house and that my children are safe from harm.”