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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: MOLDOVA UKRAINE REFUGEES
HEADLINE: With Odessa Under Siege, Moldova Sees Refugee Surge
TEASER: The tiny, impoverished former Soviet republic braces for onslaught of desperate Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s relentless attacks on civilians.
PUBLISHED AT: March 17, 2022 AT 3:20pm
BYLINE: Ricardo Marquina
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Palanka, Moldova
VIDEOGRAPHER: Ricardo Marquina
VIDEO EDITOR: Ricardo Marquina
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 1:22
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Jon Spier narrates English version))
((INTRO)) [[Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine are pushing millions of people out of the country. While most have fled the assault through Poland, more than 300,000 refugees have gone through Moldova, a small, impoverished former Soviet republic very close to the besieged Ukrainian city of Odessa. Jon Spier narrates this report by Ricardo Marquina at Palanka, on Moldova’s border with Ukraine.]]
((NARRATOR)) Thousands of people come through this border crossing from Ukraine into the small republic of Moldova every day. Women, children and the elderly people come to escape the horror of the war launched by Vladimir Putin against their country.
((RADIO VERSION: Among them is Veronica, who made a desperate run from Odessa.))
((Veronica, Ukrainian Refugee – FEMALE IN RUSSIAN))
“This is the closest border. You can get here in an hour and a half.”
((NARRATOR))
Many of these refugees have just left their homeland, but the only thing on their minds is going home as soon as they can.
((RADIO VERSION: Natalia, one of the new refugees, spoke to us at the Palanka border crossing and made a plea to the outside world.))
((Natalia, Ukrainian Refugee – FEMALE IN RUSSIAN))
“We want to return to our homes as soon as possible. We hope that our house will not be destroyed. Please help us.”
((NARRATOR))
For others, like Maria, there is no more wondering about whether their homes are untouched. Maria shows us the remains of her house, in the city of Nikolaev, now in ruins after a Russian bombardment. She feels lucky to have escaped with her life.
((Maria, Ukrainian Refugee – FEMALE IN RUSSIAN))
“When the shelling started, we were at home. We were able to go down to the basement quickly.”
((NARRATOR))
The Moldovan authorities have organized a reception center, where refugees are offered, and their next transfer is organized. From here, they are assigned new destinations that will be their temporary homes.
Europe’s new war has changed the lives of millions of people overnight, and now a future of worry and uncertainty lies ahead.
((For Ricardo Marquina, Palanka, Moldova, Jon Spier, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 17, 2022 15:03 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
