Here is what happens: Morocco welcomes refugees from Ukraine. From Kharkiv to Casablanca, with many stops and hassle.
The daily routine of the war in Ukraine “writes” many stories of people who from the shelter of an underground metro station make the difficult decision to leave the country. Their destination is not only Europe, but also other continents. Like Africa. So not only is Europe a destination for refugees from African countries, but the opposite is also true: Europeans are finding new shelter and protection in Africa.
With a visa in hand, not with inflatables
The case of 37-year-old Ukrainian Irina Hedina is typical. Together with Valentina’s mother, they managed to reach Casablanca, Morocco. They did not have to make the dangerous trip to the Mediterranean with inflatables, because they had a regular visa for the country. What will happen when it ends? But it is important that they are currently safe, at the home of their relative, sister and daughter, respectively, Elena. What do they bring in their luggage? Their cat Lola and their passports. Valentina, a 67-year-old pharmacist, could never have imagined becoming a refugee. They came to Casablanca via Hungary and Istanbul. “We will return when Ukraine wins the war,” Valentina said bluntly. Irina’s daughter does not seem to have yet overcome the traumatic experiences.
Her mood is between sadness and resignation on the one hand, and relief on the other. “I was so happy to come to my sister and we can breathe pure oxygen without smoke. I saw the blue sky without tanks and bombs. We lived in the Saltafka area of ​​Kharkov, 30 km from the Russian border. It was very dangerous with the air raids. “Bombs and fires. We were very scared.”
“There is no alternative”
Until March 7, Irina and her mother spent many hours in the subway tunnel to protect themselves from the bombs. Irina also shows a photo on her cell phone, which she took from their house on the 9th floor of an apartment building. It looks like an entire industrial area with a large oil depot engulfed in flames. When they went shopping in the supermarket and saw goblets on the street, they decided to go to Casablanca and find Elena. They arrived in Hungary after many stops and inconveniences and got a visa for Morocco, with an expiration date of the end of May. It was not that easy. Because unlike Russians, who easily get visas, Ukrainians must have relatives in the country. Nearly 120 Ukrainian women married to Moroccans have applied to the Foreign Ministry for asylum and tolerance status for their relatives.
What if the ministry refuses? Irina says there is no alternative. Her sister, Elena, has lived in Casablanca for almost 20 years. She and her Moroccan husband have two children. He studied engineering and works as a florist. The children are happy now that they are with their grandmother and aunt. The family will do everything they can to keep Valentina and Irina close to her. There are no other plans. They can not exist as long as the war continues.
Stephen Elert / ARD
Edited by: Irini Anastassopoulou
Source: Deutsche Welle
Source: Capital
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