MWB aiding Ukrainian Refugees in Moldova

As refugees pour out of Ukraine into neighbouring countries, Mission Without Borders staff and volunteers have been ready to welcome them in Palanca, a village in Moldova at the border with Ukraine.

On the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 50 km of cars lined up at customs in Palanca, waiting for their turn to cross the border. Later, Ukrainians began using other border crossing points into Moldova, but Palanca remains the busiest, with thousands of people gathering there and greeted by Moldovan volunteers.

More than 70,000 refugees from Ukraine have entered Moldova in the last few days, the press service for the Moldovan Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

Sergiu, who works for MWB in Palanca and is also the pastor of the local church here, has been working tirelessly to help in any way he can.

Sergiu said, “So far, in these past few days, 2,000 meals have been prepared for refugees and given away at the border. The last days, around 160 people ate at the centre; some continued on their journeys, and others remained to warm themselves."

“The refugees are devastated, exhausted, cold and very scared, because they didn’t think they would have to leave their country in order not to be murdered. When you ask them where they come from and what happened, they can't control their tears."

“Thanks to the customs officers who allowed us to cross customs, we were able to feed even more people. We worked with the volunteers until 2 am on Saturday. We also prepared 1,000 servings of food and fed the refugees on Sunday and I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of sponsored children, Maxim and Sandu, ready to help. They were at the Palanca customs, serving the volunteers with hot drinks.”

At the moment, some of the refugees are in MWB’s community centre in Palanca, and others have already been placed with families.


Donate to the MWB Ukrainian Emergency Appeal Today and Help Ukrainian Families Fleeing the War


In the community centre where MWB usually holds After-School care for local children, desks and chairs were pushed to the side and mattresses are spread on the floor for refugees to sleep on. The beds are always full, with more people waiting for a rest when others wake up.

Sergiu said, “We pray for all the refugees as the weather is getting colder these days. We hope to have enough warm blankets and clothes to offer to them. The refugees are from all over Ukraine. Most of them stop just to eat, rest a little and leave for Romania or for other countries. All I can say is that you can see the fear and uncertainty in their eyes. It breaks my heart to see all the mothers with very young children. We do all we can to welcome them and show them that we care."

“We pray with them and for them, we pray for peace, both in Ukraine and around the world. We are grateful to the Lord for the way the whole of Moldova is actively involved in providing housing, food, counselling, hygiene products, push chairs [wheelchairs] and more.”

All the local churches that MWB partners with throughout Moldova are helping in whatever way they can. Some have taken refugees into their homes, some are offering food and clothing.

Many refugees have arrived in Leova, Moldova, as well; 70 to 80 refugees have been placed in the house of culture, and 15 refugees have been placed in the church in Leova.

MWB staff member Valentina, who lives in Leova, said, “These people were hungry and cold. When you approach them, they start crying. Many others were forced to stay in Ukraine. There was a pastor who was coming, but because his son was taken into the army, he had to stay behind. There are many people who can’t leave because they can’t leave their loved ones behind. MWB mattresses and sheets are a real blessing in these days. The mayor here is grateful for our willingness to help."

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