Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Moldova has taken in the highest proportion of refugees based on its population size. Moldova itself, classed as a ‘fragile economy’, is the poorest country in Europe and this huge influx of refugees is putting pressure on internal systems.

Since February MAD-Aid has been fully supporting 5 centres in the region looking after more than 400 refugees and providing humanitarian shipments of much needed supplies.

MAD-Aid was formed in 2012 and aims to create a world where children and adults with special needs have access to the same opportunities as others to fulfil their life’s ambitions. In 2015 they built the Phoenix Complex in Moldova; a specialised centre for children with disabilities, a care home and a hydrotherapy swimming pool that is unique to Moldova and Eastern Europe.

This project aims to run daily educational and social activities for 200 Ukrainian children each week alongside children with disabilities living at the Phoenix Centre.

The project is running for 3 months and aims to help children feel more settled in their new ‘temporary’ homes and achieve a sense of normality. It will improve mental health and wellbeing for participants by enabling them to forge new friendships, be children and have fun over the Summer. Language lessions will enable increased integration between refugee children and local residents. Children will also have access to the Phoenix playground and pool, trips out and three home-cooked meals each day.

Funding will contribute to co-ordinators’ salaries, language tuition, food costs, playground equipment and transport costs to and from the centre.