The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
‘People traffickers are
An Aberdeenshire charity that works in Moldova has said it is already being called to help people fleeing war-torn Ukraine.
Mark Morgan, European director of Stella’s Voice, said two girls aged 14 and 17, who were at risk of being people trafficked into the sex trade, had already been supported by the group.
But as the war intensifies and more people try to escape, the Peterhead-based charity is seeing a huge pull on its resources – and is calling for donations.
Mr Morgan said: “You can read the headlines and watch the TV but what is happening in Moldova is the reality.
“People traffickers are already rubbing their hands at the possibility of thousands of people who are being displaced.
“Because when you are homeless, and without money, food or shelter, then you are vulnerable to what they have to offer.”
Mr Morgan explained that it is not just young people. Families from all over are fleeing the country.
He said: “They have fled Ukraine and they have come to us. People have taken in refugees into their homes in Moldova. But they have no extra resources to help them.”
He continued: “We can help. But right at the moment we do not have enough space for everyone who wants to come. And we are already working with people who are vulnerable.
“We are juggling things to make it happen for as many people as we can.”
He added: “Our first priority is getting food and supplies for people. Even if they are not directly living with us – we want to be able to help.”
Mr Morgan said that because Stella’s Voice was already in the country, then they were in a position to help now.
“We can through local people get food locally and get it to people in need, overnight,” he said.
Christmas boxes sent to Moldova from the northeast have recently arrived in the country. Something Mr Morgan calls a “godsend” as it will help meet urgent needs now.
Mr Morgan continued: “Traffickers will be lining up to exploit people now. We don’t know the extent.
“But what we do know is that when people are vulnerable there is always someone willing to exploit the situation.”
Mr Morgan said daily figures of people escaping Ukraine to Poland were published, but because of Moldova’s close association with Russia the figures were not so freely available.
He made a plea for people to support the charity.
He said: “While I know everyone cannot donate and help, if you can give the charity something then we would be very grateful.
“We want to be able to provide food, blankets, pillows and shelter to people. This is a serious emergency.
“We do not know if the war will last for a day, or for years. What we do know, is that people are in need now.
“We are on the ground already and we can help.
“The quicker we can get people off the street the better.
“People will be in survival mode – if you don’t know where you will sleep tonight in the bitter cold then you will do anything.”
“That includes being susceptible to a trafficker who will destroy your life. In that situation, you feel like you do not have a choice.”
A woman whose mum only went back to Ukraine last month after a holiday in the north-east has spoken of her torment.
Olena Farr says she feels “guilty” that her mum Tamara Vasyta is now on her own in western Ukraine, after leaving Scotland a mere six weeks ago.
Mrs Farr woke up in tears after an anxious night awaiting news.
Her mum lives not too far from Lviv, where attacks have been reported.
Thankfully they have been in contact, but 41-year-old accountant Mrs Farr fears things could get much worse.
“I’ve been awake most of the night just watching news updates and trying to get any sense of what’s going on,” she said.
“It’s such a worrying situation for the people of Ukraine but also for the Ukrainian people everywhere.
“There is still internet and running water but if the siege continues this may be cut off.”
Mrs Farr came to Scotland in 2007 to study. She attended Aberdeen College – now NesCol – and qualified as an accountant and later married husband David.
She said: “My mum is OK, although she is incredibly worried and fearful about what’s going on.
“She only left on January 8. If only I had foreseen this, or asked her to leave when the UK Government told British nationals to leave. I feel really guilty. I’m just praying she stays alive.”
Solomiya Smeaton, 37, who lives in Johnshaven with her husband Richard, said Saturday night was the
“scariest” of her life as she waited for news about her loved ones, who are from Turnopil.
“I didn’t think I would ever have to live through this,” she said.
“It just feels like there’s not enough support. What will sanctions do for the most corrupt country in the world?
“We will fight but we need help.”
On a day that saw the nearby city attacked, with visible plumes of smoke afterwards, her parents were forced from their home and into an underground bunker.
Mrs Smeaton added: “At first they couldn’t get in as everyone was panicking, so had to go home. But then as more sirens sounded they tried again and made it into an underground bunker near a school.”
Now she is doing all she can to get her 67 and 70-year-old parents to safety.
“I spent most of last night calling the UK embassy and immigration centres,” Mrs Smeaton said.
“I’ve been here 18 years but apparently that doesn’t count for anything.
“I don’t need anyone to support them – I will do that. And I’m not asking for citizenship, I just need to save my parents.”
Yuliia Rezin said her “heart was broken” over what is happening in her beloved Ukraine.
Her mum, who is partially sighted, has been in a bomb shelter in Kyiv with her neighbours since the strikes began while her sister, husband and nephews are hiding in an underground garage.
Mrs Rezin, who lives in Inverurie, said: “I’m absolutely worried sick.
“My sister Lilia and her family are trapped in the garage because they didn’t have enough time to get to a proper shelter 10 minutes away.
“What’s making it worse is they can hear all the noises but don’t know what’s happening above.
“My heart is broken. I hope I see my sister again.”
Mother-of-two Inna Mcleod is also anxious about her family.
She has been receiving regular updates from her parents and cousins, who have lived in and around Kyiv for many years.
Her parents have managed to escape, and are now in a village called Buchne about 110 miles away, while her sister and cousins are also preparing to make the move.
“I never expected to be living through this horror, not now, in this 21st Century,” Mrs Mcleod said.
Mrs Mcleod, who lives in Aberdeen and works as a carer, previously stayed in an apartment in the Troeschina district of Kyiv.
She said: “We need help to protect our skies. We will give our lives – we are a proud nation – and we will give our lives for freedom and democracy, but we will need support.”
For now however, Mrs Mcleod’s greatest worry is her cousin who is hiding for safety.
“My cousin has two boys, one is seriously ill with a kidney complaint and last night they had to hide underground in a cold bunker, with no access to medicine.”
“My grandma and greatgrandmother are there. I don’t know if I will ever see them again.
“But I know my people. We won’t stop fighting for our Ukraine.”