The International Organization for Migration (IOM Lithuania) in Lithuania has distributed one-time payments to newly arrived war refugees from Ukraine. In total, over €85,000 was allocated, benefiting 240 Ukrainians.
"Every week, Ukrainians fleeing the war continue to arrive in Lithuania. They urgently need support. Whether they arrived shortly after the war began or nearly three years later, many come with just a few belongings and no clear plan for their next steps," explains Eglė Staškūnaitė, Head of Migrant Assistance and Crisis Management at IOM Lithuania.
To support the most vulnerable refugees, IOM Lithuania provided €352 per person, offering critical assistance during their time of need.
Julia Smyrna arrived in Lithuania in early October from the Dnipropetrovsk region, bringing her two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a baby son not yet a year old. As Julia recounts, every day of the war felt like an ordeal: constant shelling and explosions made even basic activities impossible. Going out for a walk with the children was out of the question, trips to the shop were fraught with danger, and nights were often spent in the corridor for safety.
"I worked in a pharmacy, and we kept hoping we could stay at home. But when an explosion hit just 50 meters from our house, we knew we couldn’t go on. Life was a constant state of tension and fear. Water was running out, electricity was unreliable, and every second felt like an eternity," Julia recalls. "There was even an explosion in the playground where we used to take our children. It’s a miracle we weren’t there at the time. That’s when we decided to come to Lithuania, and we hope to settle here."
Since the war began, kindergartens in Ukraine have been closed, Julia explains. For the first time, her daughter was able to attend kindergarten after their arrival in Klaipėda, offering a glimpse of normalcy amidst upheaval.
"We enjoy living in Lithuania, we feel safe here," Julia shares. "Of course, we want the war to end as soon as possible and dream of going home, but we understand that it’s not possible right now."
Julia has used the assistance provided by IOM Lithuania to cover essential needs like rent and utilities. She is grateful for the peace she has found in Lithuania and remains hopeful about building a better future for her children.
Liudmyla Zelena arrived in Lithuania from Nikopol, a small town near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in October. Her daughter and grandchildren had already relocated to Lithuania before her.
"It took us more than a day to reach Lithuania. My daughter had been asking me to come, but I kept waiting for the war to end. In our city, there are so many dead and even more wounded—civilians, not just soldiers. It’s heartbreaking to see our towns, the places we love, being destroyed," Liudmyla shares.
Having worked in the railway industry for 36 years, Liudmyla is now retired. "I really like Lithuania and Kaunas. I feel calmer and safer here," she says. "The only thing I miss is the sun—we have more of it back home," she adds with a smile.
Liudmyla explains that her town has not yet been occupied. "If the enemy had come, I would have left immediately," she says.
Anastasia Selevanova arrived in Lithuania from Chornomorsk in the Odessa region also in October. "A drone struck our apartment, and everything inside was burned. Thank God we were in a shelter at the time, so neither my children nor I were injured. But after that, I knew I couldn’t stay any longer—I had to leave," Anastasia recalls.
Without a plan or a clear destination in mind, she bought tickets for the first available bus, which happened to be heading to Lithuania. "That’s how we ended up here," she says.
In Ukraine, electricity was available for only eight hours a day, leaving the rest of the time in darkness, especially during autumn. Anastasia describes the relentless attacks that shattered windows in homes. At first, people replaced the broken glass, but eventually, they resorted to boarding up the windows, leaving the interiors dark and lifeless. "It is very difficult to live in such conditions. I just want to take care of my children and give them the peace and security they deserve," says Anastasia, a recent arrival in Lithuania.
She explains that settling in Lithuania has been relatively manageable. She found a job, rented an apartment, and used the support from IOM to cover her rent. "I worked as a cook in Ukraine, so I was able to find a job quickly. I even learned how to make sushi," Anastasia shares with a smile.
Her daughters have adapted well to their new environment, and she plans to enroll them in a Lithuanian school soon. "They’ve adjusted easily, and I’m optimistic about building a stable future for them here," she says.
Ukraine is our home, Anastasia says, but it is no longer safe, and many cities have been destroyed. Even if the war ends, she fears there may be nowhere left to return to.
Anastasia and her daughters have grown fond of Lithuania. She is especially grateful for the warmth and kindness of the people she has met. "We’re happy that things have gone well so far. What matters most to me is how my girls feel, and they’ve adapted to Vilnius even faster than I have," she shares.
In nearly three years, more than 90,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Lithuania. IOM Lithuania has provided support to over 19,000 war refugees, with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office.