Six Months In A Tent: Ukrainian Woman Refuses To Move On From Moldovan Refugee Camp

Vira Derevenko has an entire refugee camp almost entirely to herself. She is one of just three people still living among the lines of tents in Moldova, where she came six months ago. She has refused an offer of more comfortable housing from the authorities, and does not feel able to return home.
Originally published at - www.rferl.org/...
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#russia #ukraine

[@josimpson7999]

It’s so admirable that this lovely lady is able to find such positivity having lost so much. I hope she and all the other millions of refugees are able to return to their homeland when this dreadful war ends.

[@gabergeron]

Greetings from Canada. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, they however care for a large number of refugees. That in itself speaks of their generosity. I know that recently sales of Moldovan wine increased manyfold here in Quebec where state owned liquor stores are selling those products. I try to buy those products as often as i can to support in a small way the Moldovan people. They have shown a tremendous humanity for others. Glory to Ukraine for standing up against the orcs and defending freedom 💙💛

[@popacristian2056]

Thank you for the appreciations! About 1.5 million Ukrainians took refuge in Romania (Romania + Moldova). Everyone was well received and helped, even if most of them left for other European countries, but many stayed here at least until the end of the Russian criminal aggression.

[@marianna0cn]

Millions of Ukrainians are mentally traumatized because of the war. It’s hard for people to start new life in new place especially in older age. Looks like she has found her comfort zone with those kittens and volunteers , she doesn’t want to move and to start all over again.

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Well said. 🙏🇨🇦

[@alicebellamio5491]

She quickly get used in this temporary home because of her bravery.🌹

[@Maplelust]

and often times it's hard to even move the elderly from point a to point b. they're not spring chickens. they're not all well enough to just pack up and go. I think people don't always realize this when they think people are stupid for not leaving sooner. they simply can't do it!

[@sarac.3259]

@@Maplelust Yes, many of us like change less as we age - even without the trauma of war. It must be so difficult to "up sticks" as we say and move to another (temporary) place. I am glad the paramedic was kind and understanding.

[@paolagrando5079]

She is active and useful. I hope they let her be until she reasons that it's too cold to stay in a tent. And I wish her, and every other Ukranian, that the invasion ends soon and she can go home. Indipendence and peace for Ukraine.

[@ryry562000]

It didn't really sound like they were trying to hard to get her out, sounded like they were trying to give her a better place to lay her head but your right about that she will move before it gets to cold, hopefully it's not to late and they still have a room for her. I'll give the Ukrainian grandma "Babusia" some cred, they are some strong minded ladies and they ain't scared of shit

[@paolagrando5079]

@@ryry562000 I have to give you some bad news. Plenty of grandmas from any other country can be as stubborn as a mule. 😸

[@Northstander]

@@ryry562000 From the words of the paramedic it does seem like she is being well supported, and perhaps gently encouraged to move, but it will be at a time of her choosing...perhaps when winter temperatures fall below zero.

[@ryry562000]

@@Northstander why do they want her to move so badly if there not taking them down and there not over crowded. She will have no choice but to move unless they can put a wood stove in these tents

[@ryry562000]

@@paolagrando5079 I was more meaning that they are tough and brave, I've seen videos of them standing up to the Russian soldiers and not giving 2 fucks about them. But u are 100% correct about grandma's being stubborn, my grandma past almost 30 yrs ago when I was 15 and she didn't take shit from no one and no one told her what she was and wasn't doing

[@tatradak]

She is living in peace and what else can can she ask for.. Yesterday the Orcs fired at Lviv rail station and killed 22. She is safe and well.

[@kathrinekerns8398]

Such a brave woman. I am praying for Ukraine. And, for peace.

[@gergemall]

Reminds me of my great grandmother.Slava UKRAINI 💪🇺🇦

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

We cannot imagine the upheaval of millions and the effect it has on them. So many untold stories with despair, sadness and loneliness. If we could help all of them eh!? russia, millions of us are not interested in who you are and what you represent. Return to your pootinville and the world would be a more peaceful place. Glory to Ukraine Independence Day and all the hero's, the unsung hero's, the ones that fought and lost their lives and the ones that fought and are not disabled physically and psychologically, from Eastern Canada.

[@LBCLary]

aww as I hug my kittens and cats... I feel for this woman... all of this is relatable as a child of refugees myself..

[@Wild_Western]

God bless this woman and watch over her.

[@personalbiz]

One more nice old lady from Ukraine. May God bless her! 🙏❤️

[@Gyrogen7]

Peace for humanity. Peace for earth.

[@mariagibbons8437]

Beautiful woman! She is right, focusing in what PRESENTLY can do, not filling her mind with the pain and trauma many Ukraines are facing, and leaving winter for when winter comes. A good lesson for many of us.

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

may all beings be free of suffering...

[@GnosticAtheist]

"How long do I have left to live anyways" - I have found this to be the best approach to many things. Of course, does not help much for the younglings suffering from ABAS (acute being alive syndrome) but for the rest of us it is the key to a peaceful life.

[@jasmine24477]

Fantastic lady .Hope you get back home soon .🇺🇦

[@susanwestern6434]

I expect that she will leave the tent when it gets too cold. It would be good if she could take the kittens with her. Maybe if some way could be found for her to volunteer and feel useful. Her spinning skills could be taught to other people as well. People like her need something to do that would take her mind off the situation a bit.

[@youngraines851]

The courage and the tenacious spirit of this lady & many of the world's war refugees puts us, even tho we are not affluent, to shame. We pray blessings upon each & every one of them - people & the animals alike. They're caught in a seemingly hopeless, unending conflict that's NOT of their making/choice which has destroyed each of their personal worlds. Beyond words & our hearts go out to them.

[@Love_N_Let_Live]

I'm guessing that in her mind, to move to the next place is to accept defeat. She doesn't want to leave Ukraine, and living in this in between may be a punishment to herself for leaving the motherland. Just an assumption, but either way, I feel for her. I hope she can live the rest of her life somewhat peacefully.

[@jeroenberkenbosch7072]

she can always write goverment .... large part is safe now ! a tent is in the winter no good . she needs at least a "boxhome" with electric heating !

[@WestCoastUSA546]

SBE DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE. THEY HAVE OFFERED

[@jessicaaguilar6435]

That's the spirit of a true Ukrainian! Where there is a beginning, there is an end...the end of a new beginning! Slava Ukraine?

[@ericconnor8419]

There are other people here maybe she would get too lonely in a house on her own they should find her something to do some people need to work. She will move if it gets too cold for the cats. Perhaps she is worried she can't take them all. It is kind of the people of Moldova to let her stay there. I guess they could stick a wood stove in there if they don't need the land, she is not doing any harm.

[@davebauman4991]

2:05 Pitch a tent within a tent within a tent, that'll make a fully insulated winter shelter.

[@Boston-yc6et]

That lady is so kind. I hope she gets what she deserves

[@meilengschwarzbek9421]

Beautiful attitude in times of adversities. Great lessons from her to carry and live on. May GOD bless and keep the nation and population of Ukraine. Mercy, grace and peace be to Ukraine and all Ukrainians.

[@man08839]

God is seeing everything and he will asked all about that

[@PatriciaSantos-qt9lw]

This lady, yes, a true refugee, like nearly all Ukrainians in EUrope. All the future History books worldwide will tell about the incommensurable determination, resilience, skills and patriotic bravery of this so impressive Nation. A great example to all others! _(*mainly and foremost to its allies)._ Incredible Ukraine/Ukrainians. What an amazing Nation of Heroes. I love this People. These, yes, true Europeans!

[@WestCoastUSA546]

🇺🇦❤️🇺🇦

[@MEERU_K]

everyone should like the videos bless this lady she will get over the shock in time

[@bron762]

💐

[@grigoresimion8744]

Glory to Ukraine from Romania.

[@rebeccagibson7881]

I like to spin and knit too! A lot the same way

[@raybon7939]

She will need a stove and clothing and blankets but she should be fine.

[@bluespruce679]

I hope and pray this kindly woman will remember her cat friends if/when she must leave due to the cold grip of winter. Those cats need her!! I pray she takes them with her somehow. Slava Urkraini! 🇺🇦

[@lunkis3233]

Amazing lady.

[@samdekwat9551]

There seems to be a very strong bond between this gentle lady and her home. She refuses to move on because in her mind, it would mean her moving further away from her goal of going back to her roots. That's a scary thought and she needs someone to help her understand that this war is probably not gonna end soon. She needs to find a safe and warm place for winter and that she can always come home when the right time comes. It hard!!! I pray that she will see her homes soon. #FuckPutin #СлаваУкраїні

[@jetv1471]

She has company there , she cleans the tables she feels she has a purpose , she has the support of these young people around her . She doesn’t want to go sit alone in a room in a house … I knit too and I don’t blame her for staying . I would want to stay too. I pray this all ends soon and Ukraine has victory . She may change her mind when it turns very cold .

[@jacichepil9546]

Send more weapons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NoSuffix]

It'll be hard to live in a tent in winter.

[@Nitestalker65]

GOD BLESS HER!!

[@belvacassell7713]

Moms, food,rest, encouragement,stability, comfort, good for her and her mission!

[@a.p1675]

After Moldova was stolen from Romania. After Moldovans were deported from their own land. After Sovjet stole even more land (now belonging to Ukraine). Many Russians and Ukranians alocated to live on Moldovan land to try to give these slavs some legitimacy on accupied territory. Yet Moldovans help and feed them. I Think it might still be the largest helper compared to population size.

[@aaahtex902]

**>>>I HAVE PETS & FLIES

[@saroshvarghese362]

Dictators enjoy war. So many people are suffering. God will not allow this for long. I really curse the people who have started this war.

[@magdagama8779]

PLEAAAASSSEEE GIVE SOME SPACE TO THIS OLDER WOMAN. ...AND IF SHE IS NOT IN DANGER AND COULD SURVIVE. ...GIVE SOME MORE TIME TO HER! ! YOU COULD ONLY MAKE SURVEILLANCE AND IF SHE NEED HELP! !

[@hugokatz]

Russian peace, ruins the lives of millions. This is heartbreaking.

[@markjordan1765]

Stay strong young lady. Am here fighting for you. Semper Fi

[@christianmadsen7997]

Amazing woman👏👍

[@cynthiahudson7528]

Where is her family. I hope she survives the cold weather in winter.

[@BlueSkyLtd.]

Bless her! SALVA UKRAINI 🇺🇦 ❕

[@willymakeit5172]

Lord, bless and keep this poor woman.

[@lehouxmartial5926]

Nous pouvons donner le Nobel au peuple ukrainien.Je me sens un tout petit français ,face à ce grand peuple ukrainien

[@fdfac]

Slava Ukraine!

[@lsd8497]

❤️❤️❤️

[@vijek6435]

I love the accent of the Moldovan paramedic.

[@geertstroy]

It is not an accent , it is the Moldovan language , much like Romanian a romance language.Like French , Spanish etc...

[@vijek6435]

@@geertstroy Hon, there's no such thing as a Moldovan language, it's Romanian in the Moldovan dialect. I would know, I'm a Romanian speaker myself, from the historic province of Moldovia (of which the now nation of Moldova was once part).

[@popacristian2056]

@@geertstroy Gresit! Este doar Limba Romana curata! Accentul moldovenesc ii da savoarea specifica zonei.

[@AndreaBorto]

Russia should be forced to pay large war reparations when the war will be over.

[@esrefcelikcelik8789]

Wars, invasions, blood, death, tears are not normal. We are born to this world to live, not to kill or being killed. Bravo strong Ukrainian woman.

[@5nowChain5]

When winter temperatures drop to -40'c i think she might move indoors.

[@SandyRiverBlue]

A young Brad Pitt. Sweet kid.

[@leifandersen2756]

Who cares only the propaganda does.

[@grizzlycountry5539]

Zelenski wife is in Miami she don't like tents.

[@Elainerulesutube]

😥

[@blaugelb1213]

Gott schütze die Ukraine .

[@joyhouse4625]

Sad that a lady has too live like this 😔? western countries should do no fly zone over Ukrainian before the war became unrealistic for people to change for the better. No fly zone would end a long-term war and stop a pointless bigger war . One day people will look back and see the truth.

[@mariusdon3429]

I don't want to sound bad ...but look how one camp with Ukrainian looks ( clean because of the people's who live there ) ....and watch one camp with people's from Middle East( dirty like he'll, because are uneducated)🤦‍♂️.....after they complained on social media why Europe don't open to them like we doing with Ukrainian .

[@haha__hihi]

Although I agree that average refugee from middle east is less educated and well behaved, the conditions in those mega refugee camps are sometimes extreme...and some criminal gangs even form there (if you pack a couple of thousands fleeing people from troubled regions in one refugee camp with scarcity of resources and minimum of sanitary facilities and security you will get there no matter the nation, culture or education). You play with the cards you are dealt. If there are 100 people mashed up in tiny space, it takes just a few pigs to wreck the whole place. And if you are lonely mother with a child, you are lucky if others leave you alone even if you dont complain about their unsanitary behavior. Those complaining about "ukrainian double standard" are either russian bots, ignorants, uneducated youth or hateful racists...and the people who oppose non-white non-christian immigrants (I too am against illegal immigration but not against legal one) are in my experience consistent in this position against ukrainians also ("they steal, litter and are corrupt, violent, impolite and alcoholics, they steal our jobs, they get donations and accommodation for free etc."), maybe not 100% but I'd most of them. Also, ukrainian refugess are only women and children who want to come back to their country where their fathers, husbands and sons fight for their freedom. And it's also feasible for them to come home. On the other hand, majority of illegal migrants were economic migrants not intending on returning home, maybe after milking the economic system for a little bit. They were also from far abroad unlike ukrainians who are literally asylum seekers asking for help and staying in the first country they come in. Then there is ethnical and cultural proximity to us. This can't be said about the ME refugees. For all those reasons, millions of ukrainians were accommodated by families and common people in their homes. Because ukrainians share history, religion, culture and sometimes language with us... When a stranger becomes homeless I will donate to him, pray for him and give him food, but when my brother becomes homeless, I will share my home with him...it's that simple

[@suchitragore5211]

And the president zelensky is busy posing for Vouge magzine .

[@sarac.3259]

Vouge magazine. Nice. 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

[@haha__hihi]

What should he do ? Build her a house? lol

[@andethidialbubabibub3261]

They don't want to go home and or into a different house. I can't feel pity then :| Freedom has always a price She needs psychological help I guess

[@卢军宏台长心灵法-u3d]

When someone tells a lie, deep down they know this is wrong. They have no compassion.

[@yodud9364]

Who cares?

[@africanlastborn7776]

America and NATO ask for this and they got it.

[@budwebster1031]

yup and when your country needs help the west should just look and laugh,,,and please sign up in the Russian army you got the mouth not the balls

[@matthewm8289]

I love this attitude from ex soviet countries, they cant force me out LOL. In rich western countries they CAN force us out. Lucky to be ex soviet country i say! You actually have some rights!