Editor’s Note: The United Nations’ World Refugee Day is observed internationally on June 20 and is devoted to raising awareness and bringing people together in solidarity with refugees around the world. A small event dedicated to celebrating the stories and cultures of some of Ukraine’s own refugees was held at Taras Shevchenko Park in downtown Kyiv, boasting information, activities, and music from around the world. The Kyiv Post asked some refugees in attendance a bit about their stories, and if they felt welcome in Ukraine.
Faiq Armand
Paralegal – Afghanistan (two years in Ukraine)
“I came from Afghanistan about two years ago. As you know, the security situation there is very bad. Every day in Afghanistan, there are explosions, suicide bombers. Nobody can live safely there, and that was the reason we came here. I do feel welcome here – at least its safe. But we are not yet adjusted (to Ukraine). We applied for refugee status in Ukraine, so we have not really been welcomed yet – just issued documents. Before us, they were giving residence documents, but lately, these last two years, they are not giving anyone residence permits – we are just waiting. However, my uncle was living here before, and so I came to him. I’ve been enjoying my time so far.”
Hamidullah Sakhizada
Computer programmer – Afghanistan (seven months in Ukraine)
“I came to Ukraine seven months ago, and I feel very welcome here. I am getting lots of assistance, and I feel very happy here. I have always wanted to come to Ukraine, which is why I chose it. In the beginning, it was very difficult – I still have to deal with language barriers, different cultures, different people. But it’s still the beginning, and I feel I will be happy in this country. I was working at an embassy in Afghanistan, so my life was not safe. Currently, I am not working, but I am hoping to learn the language first, then I will start working.”
Safi Radjabu Ruban
Grocery store worker – The Republic of Congo (nine years in Ukraine)
“I have been in Kyiv nine years already. I’ve seen the country (Ukraine), and I like it. The conditions on the other hand — social, moral, etc. — I do not like. I think in some other countries, if you arrive with your problems, it’s easy. But here in Ukraine, they say from the beginning ‘no,’ and it stayed like that. I have six children, and I see that the life here for them is difficult. I don’t feel welcome here. My husband is Ukrainian, but I have refugee status – and my children don’t have documents. So how will I be welcome here?”
Jaihoon Farzan Bahador
Afghanistan — (eight months in Ukraine)
“I came here about eight months ago. In our country, there is a lot of corruption and war, and it is very bad. I think that Ukraine is better, and I came alone. But it’s good to be here, and people are welcoming.”
Jibriil Mohamed Abdulle
Unemployed – Somalia (one month in Ukraine)
“We are from Somalia. I have been here for one month. It’s difficult, but where we come from is risky, and where we are there is peace. I feel welcome here in Kiev, but it’s hard to be comfortable because we are alone without family – they are still in Somalia. My family decided that I should come here for our own reasons. I don’t have a job here yet, but I want to work to help my family, for myself, and to improve and continue my studies.”
Muhammad Navid Omar
Afghanistan (six months in Ukraine)
“We had problems in our country, in Afghanistan, which is why we came here. It was very difficult. I came here alone – my family is in Afghanistan. Right now, I am under 18 so I am studying the Ukrainian language, and I am trying to find work. I feel very welcome here in Ukraine.”
Mujib Rahmani
Afghanistan (one year in Ukraine)
“My family decided that we should leave Afghanistan, and so we left together. We’ve found a big community of people from Afghanistan, but I miss my own country. It’s good to be here, it is safe, but I’d like to be living in my own country. My family decided that we should leave. But after coming to live here in Ukraine, I do love Ukraine – the situation is better and there are a lot of good people.”
