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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: UKRAINE-SEATTLE REFUGEES
HEADLINE: Ukrainian Refugees Arrive to Open Arms in Seattle
TEASER: Even though aid groups are stretched thin, volunteers help the new arrivals with basic needs
PUBLISHED AT: 4/15/2022 at 8:25p
BYLINE: Natasha Mozgovaya
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Seattle
VIDEOGRAPHER: Natasha Mozgovaya
VIDEO EDITOR: Natasha Mozgovaya
SCRIPT EDITORS: Mia Bush, Holly Franko
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 4:49
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[In the past 12 years, Washington state has resettled more than 6,200 refugees from Ukraine – more than any other American state. Local agencies, community volunteers and families try to help new arrivals who arrive via the Mexican border. Natasha Mozgovaya has more.]]
((NARRATION ))
A drum school in Seattle is the place where recently arrived Ukrainian refugees meet with community volunteers and local organizations that are to provide some of the refugees' basic needs.
((Philipp Chekunov, Ukrainian Refugee (in Russian, needs VO) ))
"It's the second time Putin is 'rescuing' us. Originally, we are from Donetsk – in 2014, when fighting started there, my family and I – back then we had one kid and my wife was five months pregnant – fled to Zaporizhzhia, started a new life. Lived there for eight years, and now we had to leave Zaporizhzhia, this time with three kids. // From Poland, we flew to Barcelona, Mexico, Tijuana, and from Tijuana to San Diego and to Washington."
((NARRATION ))
According to Olga Okhapkina, founder of the Nashi Immigrants' Health Board nonprofit organization, Ukrainian refugees arrive in Washington daily, and the numbers continue to grow.
((Olga Okhapkina, Nashi Immigrants Health Board (in English) ))
"Unfortunately, due to war and immigration not of their choice, they come in very emotionally drained. So we try to collaborate with many psychologists and provide free consultation to support people and help them. // The main request is where to live, how to find a job, how to work with a status, how to find education to learn English, how to help their kids, and mental support as well."
((NARRATION ))
Officials from the local resettlement agencies admit they are stretched thin because of the coronavirus pandemic, greater Seattle's housing crisis and efforts to resettle Afghan refugees, too.
((Medard Ngueita, World Relief Seattle Executive Director ))
"Affordable housing in our greater Seattle area has been for years in crisis. And it continues to be. And so when you have a local population who's looking for housing and you have people across the country who are moving into the greater Seattle for the job opportunities, you know with the tech gigs and all of that, and then on top of it you have refugees who are coming in and have to compete on such a very hot market."
((Philipp Chekunov, Ukrainian Refugee (in Russian, needs VO) ))
"We have a place to live, we live with an American family, but it's someone else's house. We need to rent a place, find a job, put kids in school. // English is not so good, actually, pretty bad, so we need to learn language at the same time. But I think we are going to make it."
((NARRATION ))
After Russian forces began the shelling of Kyiv, Daria Koucherets decided to leave. Now she and her two sons stay at her sister Alexandra's home in Port Orchard.
((Alexandra Koucherets, Daria's Sister (in English) ))
"I was pushing her – 'You guys need to get out' – but at the same time, it's scary. We didn't know what's the right decision, to stay or to go. I mean I am sitting here in safety; I can look at the map and say looks like that is safe – but she is in a different situation."
((NARRATION ))
Daria’s husband, Boris, took them to the border with Romania – and then went back to fight.
((Daria Koucherets, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
"We just said, 'OK, goodbye.' Just not to have drama. (cries) // Everywhere people were helping us, in every city, in every country. Even when I came in United States, I want to say that I am very grateful and thankful for these people. Because they helped a lot of us, they give clothing, helmets for boys …"
((Alexandra Koucherets, Daria's Sister (in English))
“And toys for them and clothing and beds.”
((Daria Koucherets, Ukrainian Refugee (in English) ))
“And also, they gave card for food. It's so surprising. I really don't know how to pay it back because like all world is helping."
((NARRATION ))
Daria speaks four languages and is bursting with ideas, so her sister Alexandra is confident Daria will quickly find her footing in the U.S. once she gets her work permit. They are less confident that their connections with relatives in Russia, torn apart by the war, will ever be restored.
((Alexandra Koucherets, Daria's Sister (in English) ))
" 'You guys are making this up, nothing of this is happening.' There was this denial to accept that they are wrong, even to the day of war. In their mind Ukraine was part of Russia. It was shocking for us to hear that. That actually built this gap between families.
((Natasha Mozgovaya, VOA News, Seattle.))
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateApril 15, 2022 20:44 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
