July 7th, 2022

By Joseph Nichols, 

Kramatorsk

It seems the “next” phase of the conflict, though not as broad in geographical focus, will be affecting many more people. Missle attacks continue to occur throughout the country. As many of the refugees (those that left Ukraine) have returned they remain unable to return their homes. These people are refered to as IDP’s (Internally Displaced People). In talking with refugees that have returned I have learned that the main reasons are:

– The cost of living in European Union countries is much higher
than in Ukraine.
– There is difficulty in getting work due to language issues.
– As men between the ages of 18 and 60 cannot leave the
country, the refugees are mostly women and children that
return to be with their husbands and sons.

No matter the reason for their return it is generally understood that life has changed for them and a path needs to be found so that a generation of children are not lost to poverty, human-trafficking, ……

I know that this is just one of many refugee tragedies in the world, but it is one that I can perhaps, by chance, be involved in making a little less difficult for a few people.

FYI: From the New York Times today….

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/06/world/europe/ukraine-war-refugees-displaced.html

I will be updating again shortly when I return to the western cities.

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