My Ukrainian Family Are Now Refugees

Update: We cannot thank you enough for your support and generosity! Under the updates section you will find an update on funds spent and committed thus far ($51,201.67). We will continue to keep that updated so you have transparency into everything. Our expectation is that the cost for the first 6 months will be around $90,000. We were surprised about this figure at first but the average cost to resettle a refugee in the US from another country over 5 years is $79,600 (so over $550,000 for 7 people!) Our current estimate is only made possible through generous donations to help supplement things like food, clothing, and furniture, etc. which is helping to keep costs down. Our family will be covering and taking on many of these expenses ourselves as well. Thank you so much for your support!

Background: As I’m sure you are aware, there is currently a war in Ukraine that has forced millions of people to leave their lives behind and flee the country. Amongst those refugees is my family: my mother, my sister, my sister-in-law, and my four nieces and nephews, ages 5-12. With this GoFundMe, we hope to raise the funds necessary for these two families to have food, shelter, health care, necessary legal services, and access to transportation while they put their lives back together.

 

On the morning of Thursday, February 23rd, the family woke up at their home to the sound of explosions followed by artillery fire. They quickly decided to flee and all piled into one car, leaving everything behind except for their documents and whatever little money they had. Most tragically, they had to leave their fathers, husbands, sons behind. We do not know if or when they will be reunited.

 

The journey westward towards Poland was hazardous and painfully slow-going - it took them 5 full days to finally reach the border. They had to share blankets to stay warm in the frigid weather and ration their limited food and gas. After a treacherous journey, they have finally safely crossed the border into Poland. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, we have secured some temporary housing for them. They now face the difficult task of building new lives completely from scratch. With their husbands not able to contribute to the family's support, they need money to fund their basic needs such as food, housing, health care, access to transportation, and utilities.

 

I never thought my family would become refugees, but now they are.

Funds will be used for food, shelter, health care, necessary legal services, access to transportation, and utilities for 7 people: my mom, sister, sister-in-law and 4 nieces and nephews ages 5-12. We hope that more of my family will be able to escape and if so we will use this to help support them as well.

 

Thank you so much for your kindness and support!

 

Misha