She was born in the Odessa region, but life brought her to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. The change was caused by the war that began in Ukraine, leaving behind family and friends. Svetlana Sarandi, 37, with her 14-year-old son, took on a new life in a foreign country, hoping never to know the suffering and turmoil of war. However, destiny has tested them.
A new beginning in the shadow of war
She took refuge in Chisinau in the early months of the war. A specialist in imaging, Svetlana set out to give her son a safe life. Within a week of arriving in Chisinau, she managed to find a job – an essential step in making a living.
While in Moldova, Svetlana broke the same leg twice. After her second operation, her health deteriorated sharply and after several tests she was diagnosed with osteoporosis – a progressive, systemic disease of the musculoskeletal system characterised by decreased bone density. At the same time, Svetlana was also diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, increasing her daily struggle with pain and physical limitations. Under these circumstances the need arose to determine the degree of disability and the extent of social inclusion.
Challenges of the bureaucratic system
The real challenge began after Svetlana determined her degree of disability. The refugee applied to the National Social Insurance House (NSIH) for disability allowance. The NSIH replied that only refugee children from Ukraine can receive disability allowance if the degree of disability is determined in the Republic of Moldova. And for adults who have determined their disability it is not possible to establish disability allowance.
In search of a solution, Svetlana turned to the Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD), an organisation with experience in the field and recognised in the Republic of Moldova. After several consultations, together they began a legal battle to get her rights. According to the CDPD, the impediment is caused by the fact that in the annex to Government Decision No. 21 on temporary protection of displaced persons from Ukraine, “adults who have been determined to be disabled in the Republic of Moldova are not eligible for social disability allowances.”
In their responses, the Moldovan authorities refer to the barriers imposed by the legislation, not trying to change the situation of refugees with disabilities. According to the Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, by restricting Ukrainian refugees’ access to disability allowance, they are discriminated against compared to Moldovan citizens in terms of access to social payments and benefits. The CDPD helped the refugee to submit a request to the Equality Council – the national institution responsible for the protection against discrimination in the territory of the Republic of Moldova – to find discrimination in access to social benefits.
Seeking justice through solidarity and shared commitment
Determined to give her son a prosperous future and make sure he gets the medical care he needs, Svetlana continues to fight for his rights and needs and hopes to find justice.
“My dream is to see him grow up in a stable and secure environment, without worrying about tomorrow. When I arrived here, I didn’t know anyone, but I found support in the local community. I believe in solidarity and the power of community to make a difference,” says Svetlana.
The Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities argues that the rights of persons with disabilities, especially with refugee status, continue to be limited in Moldova and that the local community should analyse the real vulnerabilities faced by refugees in order to act and ensure their social inclusion. At the moment, a claim is pending against the National Social Insurance House regarding the collection and determination of the disability allowance for the refugee from Ukraine.
Svetlana Sarandi is an example of courage and struggle against the obstacles imposed by war, illness and bureaucracy. Her story is a reminder of the importance of solidarity and mutual support in difficult times.
This article was produced in partnership with Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD) from Republic of Moldova as part of the programme ‘Ukraine war: Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) led disability inclusive response and recovery’ (Phase II), which is in collaboration with the European Disability Forum (EDF). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and other funders. Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD) has all ownership and editorial control of the content in this document.
Author: Vlad Dumitrașcu