Finding Hope and Belonging in Belarus: Anna’s Journey to a New Life

Minsk, Belarus - Until 2022, Anna lived with her husband and three children in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. She never thought that she would be forced  to leave her home, but the war, as it crept closer, changed everything. Staying home with the children was becoming increasingly dangerous. “We thought for a long time about where to go and chose Belarus because we would not have to overcome  complicated  language barriers. We had never been to Belarus before, but decided to take the risk,” Anna recalls.

Finding themselves in another country without friends or relatives, the family faced many challenges. They had to urgently find housing, register their residency, undergo medical check-ups, and enroll their children in school. “These were very stressful months. We didn’t know where to turn for help,” Anna remembers.

The turning point for Anna came when she learned about the vital services provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “I  found out that IOM provided assistance for refugees with  document translations, notary certification, financial aid, and consultations,” she says. Initially, IOM provided the family with vouchers to purchase essential items- food, hygiene products, medicines andclothing. The second stage of support included the provision of household goods to help the family get their feet on the ground after arriving in Belarus. 

Anna and her husband started looking for work immediately after setting foot in Belarus. “It was important for me to find official employment. It was not only a legal requirement but also a personal drive to provide financial stability for my family,” she explains.

Anna had prior experience working in the beauty industry - she had worked as a manicurist in Ukraine - but in Belarus, she needed to obtain another certificate. The International Organization for Migration offered her a manicure training course, covering all related expenses.

“The training was incredibly inspiring. The instructors were very supportive, and we were able to practice our trade and reinforce our skills with the hope of landing a job afterwards. It was a very valuable experience,” she recalls.

After completing the course, Anna found a job at a beauty studio near her home in Minsk. Now, she works as a full-time manicurist, with  a stable income, and feels confident in her new life. “Having economic  stability is crucial for me as we rent an apartment and have different family expenses. I also enjoy interacting with people, which is a key part of my job in the salon. Currently, I’m learning a new specialty - podology, the physiology of feet, which is  a promising field, and I want to develop my skills as much as possible,” she shares. 

For women in similar situations, Anna offers this advice: “The most important thing is not to be afraid and not to give up. Use every opportunity, keep learning, and believe that everything will work out. “My biggest dream is for peace in Ukraine  so that everyone can live safely and raise their children. I hope that every woman that is facing difficulties finds the necessary support and the opportunities to change their lives for the better,” she says.

Since February 2022, IOM has assisted more than 22,500 Ukrainian refugees  who have arrived in Belarus. Amongst them, are more than 13,500 women and girls. A total of 850 people, including 553 women and girls, have received support, in particular with technical and vocational education and trainings, upskilling, and with covering the costs of employment-related document translation with notary certification.

IOM Belarus provides comprehensive assistance based on the humanitarian and protection needs of migrants and refugees directly and through additional support from its implementing partners.