The impact of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine on the health of refugees is presented in an informative exhibition mounted at the National Museum of History of Moldova. The exhibited information boards present the results of an independent study that shows the refugees are at risk of anxiety and face the worsening of chronic diseases. The psychological state of the respondents was shown in colors. The interviewed persons concentrated all their feelings in the red and black colors with which they associate the war and pain, MP Adrian Belyi, who also teaches at “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, has told IPN.
The study revealed significant differences in the depiction of pain by the same persons in times of peace and in times of war. In times of war, the pain is much more intense and is accompanied by depression and post-traumatic stress, which requires important medical and psychotherapeutic effort, noted Adrian Belyi.
The study showed that the refugees suffer mostly from cancer pain, back pain and musculoskeletal pain. For example, each fourth respondent has cancer pain. Based on the research, recommendations will be formulated and distributed in the form of scientific publications. There will also be published a brochure that will be distributed among specialists.
In the opening of the exhibition, the wife of Ukraine’s Ambassador to Moldova Olesea Shevchenko said the people of Ukraine are forced to survive, to fight for freedom and for the country. Over 7 million people had to flee western Ukraine and over half a million of them went through Moldova. The mothers with children make up an important percentage of the refugees.
“There are good people who offer help to us. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova are among them. The people of Moldova showed that they are ready to support those who now go through a difficult patch. Thousands of mothers with children are very happy that they got to the Republic of Moldova and found a safe place here. The Ukrainians will never forget how generous the Moldovans are. Don’t get tired of offering assistance to Ukraine as the war and the fighting continue. We need the support of everyone, especially the support of Moldova,” stated Olesea Shevchenko.
Angela Capcelea, UNICEF Moldova programs coordinator, said the life of the Ukrainian children has changed during a year since the start of the war. “Let’s help the children to cope with these situations by different methods, such as psychoemotional, psychosocial support and mental health services. The faster the children settle into a stable routine, the smaller will be the long-term consequences,” noted the representative of UNICEF Moldova.
The information boards will remain on the fence of the National Museum of History of Moldova until March 12.
