Together with her husband Serhii, Anastaiia spent all the money they had on their house in Stanytsia Lunanska in eastern Ukraine. But shortly after they moved in to their new home, war broke out and turned their lives upside down.
“We had to flee our home, as it was too dangerous to stay,” Anastasiia recalls.
Protracted vacation
The war came out of nowhere for residents in the quiet village. “It seemed peaceful. But, in the summer of 2014, an air strike took place in our town, close to our parentsˈ house,” she recounts.
The next day, Anastasiia and her husband packed their bags and travelled to the Black Sea. Here, they hoped to wait until it was safe to return to their home. But as time went by, the couple was further displaced to Rostov, in southern Russia, where they had family they could stay with. They ended up displaced for a total of two years.
This house was the only property we had. We were really eager to repair it, whatever it would take.Anastasiia Pavlenko, 28, was displaced for two years due to war in Ukraine.
Long-awaited assistance
Anastasiia’s parents, who remained in their hometown, turned to humanitarian organisations for help.
“This house was the only property we had. We were really eager to repair it, whatever it would take. The Norwegian Refugee Council provided us with construction materials and cash to hire workers,” says Anastasiia.
Moving in with a growing family
After four months, the house was completely rebuilt. The family celebrated New Year’s Eve 2017 in their new home, with their new born daughter Aleksandra.
But as the war in Eastern Ukraine continues, the family still feel unsafe.
“Almost every evening we hear sounds of artillery. In the daytime, we live normal lives and look after our fruits and vegetables. My son goes to kindergarten, and my husband works with the local emergency rescue services. We want to think the war will be over soon,” says Anastasiia.
