As Russia’s war with Ukraine enters its second year, help for refugees is still needed in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Simply over a 12 months in the past, the world watched in shock as Russia invaded Ukraine.

“There was lots of curiosity in the beginning when the battle first broke out and easy methods to assist Ukrainians, however individuals neglect that when it isn’t on the information it is nonetheless taking place,” mentioned Max Rykov, director of growth and communications on the Nashville Worldwide Middle for Empowerment.

Since then, the Nashville Worldwide Middle for Empowerment, or NICE. has helped almost 200 Ukrainians discover new properties in Tennessee.

“I imagine the belief was individuals would wish to return house to Ukraine, and that the battle would resolve,” Rykov mentioned.

But it surely appears resolve is nowhere in sight.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Liudmyla Seliutina was working as a flight attendant on a visit to Mexico. Russia had invaded Ukraine.

“After that, my mother mentioned ‘it’s extremely harmful please do not come again house, it’s extremely harmful’,” mentioned Seliutina.

Fairly than return house to Kyiv, she stayed in Poland alone, earlier than transferring to Germany.

“The toughest half is to be separate from my household, after all,” mentioned Seliutina. “I am not alone, however I really feel like generally I am alone as a result of all of my household continues to be in Ukraine.”

After spending time in Germany, the 29-year-old fled Ukraine forsaking her dad and mom and an older brother, who’s combating on the entrance traces.

“It was simply arduous to start with,” mentioned Seliutina. “Like, you do not know native guidelines, you do not know native legal guidelines, you do not know to behave to be a refugee right here.”

Now via a brand new monitorship program, NICE is inviting volunteers to donate their time to serving to refugees discover housing, transportation and combine into their new properties in Nashville.

“It is a actually transformative service alternative that is out there to odd individuals to assist in a very, actually important,” mentioned Rykov.

As extra refugees are anticipated to reach in Nashville, it is assist that’s simply as wanted in the present day because it was a 12 months in the past.

For extra data on how one can assist, click on right here.