Help Sooo...I'm Ukrainian

[GrumpyFrog]

@My_name_is_Luka you're impressive as usual when it comes to finding resources everywhere. I will definitely check this out.
I think it wouldn't be completely impossible for me to talk my employer into taking me and to somehow fit myself into that bus...but I didn't because I wasn't all that hyped up about leaving in the first place. It is not completely impossible to get evacuated on your own, but it is super hard. People spend several days waiting for an occassional train to get out and last time I was at the train station I narrowly escaped being severely trampled, possibly to death, and I wasn't even really trying to get onto the train...

Stand up for yourself, you deserve a good life and not some forced emergency suicide.

Thank you for your kind words, but...good life is not an option right now. The option I am offered is mere survival. Most people here are grasping for it at any cost. And I'm...I'm not really interested in that.

There are many resources in countries such as UK, Germany etc. but there is no way for me to get there without a passport, at least as far as I know. You will only be allowed to cross the border out of Ukraine if you ask for asylum at the border, and that makes you obligated to stay in the first safe country you entered...

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
indeed you have to be careful with the evacuation. I do not know where you are and which evacuation routes are available from your city.
From the little that I've read, trains are the safest and cars the less safe.
There might be suggestions for evacuation in internet as well.
If you think that you want to consider this option, gathering info on the evacuation routes is the first thing that I'd suggest to do.

Second thing: it would be a good idea that you can get access to internet after you have reached another country. In that way you have access to all the info and contacts that you need (as well as our support). If you can't access internet, write down the few info that you need (phone numbers, addresses, ...): for example phone numbers of groups that take care of hosting, request for asylum, etc.

If you want to understand better what you can expect as a refugee before leaving your town, don't hesitate to write to the contacts that I've given to you. In that way you can understand what to expect from the accommodation with a host, offers of employment, medical support, etc.. It can give you an idea about how you are going to spend your next weeks.

Since you said that you will be taken to Romania, in the week end I will gather information on Romania for you. You and others that are willing to support can do the same

 

[WhiteyBulger]

@Nessie
indeed you have to be careful with the evacuation. I do not know where you are and which evacuation routes are available from your city.
From the little that I've read, trains are the safest and cars the less safe.
There might be suggestions for evacuation in internet as well.
If you think that you want to consider this option, gathering info on the evacuation routes is the first thing that I'd suggest to do.

Second thing: it would be a good idea that you can get access to internet after you have reached another country. In that way you have access to all the info and contacts that you need (as well as our support). If you can't access internet, write down the few info that you need (phone numbers, addresses, ...): for example phone numbers of groups that take care of hosting, request for asylum, etc.

If you want to understand better what you can expect as a refugee before leaving your town, don't hesitate to write to the contacts that I've given to you. In that way you can understand what to expect from the accommodation with a host, offers of employment, medical support, etc.. It can give you an idea about how you are going to spend your next weeks.

Since you said that you will be taken to Romania, in the week end I will gather information on Romania for you. You and others that are willing to support can do the same

You are a great friend to Nessie (I'm a new member, but have lurked many hours). Truly, I admire your loyalty and perseverance in helping Nessie. To all others who have chimed in with resources and info., it renews my faith in humanity (though I still can't stand my neighbors). This poor woman is going through HELL.

 

[KimKevorkian]

Eva Cassidy sings "Over The Rainbow"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

Eva Cassidy sings "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHYW0drRwVg

Eva Cassidy sings "Imagine"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGnfqRR509M

We are all with you Nessie!

 

[LittleCloud]

The whole situation is so fucked, and there's so much propaganda coming from both sides

Spoiler: A POLITICAL rant from a third perspective, read at your own volition

- and when i say both sides, I don't mean Ukraine and Russia, i mean USA and Russia. It's just USA playing on other's territories for their own benefit, as always. WW1, WW2, the wars in the middle east, Afghanistan etc. - none were fought on the american soil, but the US largely profited from it. They invest so much in military because that's where their profit is. It'll be the western europe who'll suffer the most because of it. They import wheat primarily from Ukraine and Russia, let's not even talk about oil. Guess who they'll have to buy it from in the future? NATO is a MILITARY alliance (people keep forgetting that), supposedly staying neutral but sending Ukraine artillery? Of course Ukraine will have to pay it all later. Divide et impera. We might as well all cbt if there's not another great power keeping balance.

As always, it'll be regular people like us who'll suffer the most. I don't have much advice, but as someone whose family went trough a war, i send you love and preservance. Don't forget who you are and keep safe. Some people gave you good advice, so I don't have anything else to add. We are all here like a family, so you have a lot of people standing with you.

 

[WearyHSP]

@Nessie, please update us if and when you can. I'm slow on the uptake here.

I reiterate plastic bags. Also a strange addition that might seem counterintuitive - duck tape.
When I worked for a large corporation and was on the safety commission, mostly based on earthquake preparedness, I was struck by duct tape being one of the top recommended items to have in a go-bag. It can be used in so may ways, including injuries or shoe support and more.

My message may have come too late.
I hope you can check back in soon and give us your status.

 

[KimKevorkian]

Eva Cassidy sings "Over The Rainbow"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

Eva Cassidy sings "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHYW0drRwVg

Eva Cassidy sings "Imagine"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGnfqRR509M

We are all with you Nessie!

A song for Putin and his ilk: "Some Humans Ain't Human"--John Prine (link didn't work, sorry). Prine is always worth listening to.

 

[GrumpyFrog]

A song for Putin and his ilk: "Some Humans Ain't Human"--John Prine (link didn't work, sorry). Prine is always worth listening to.

I'm not familiar with John Prine, but I will surely give it a listen, thank you for the recommendation!

Also a strange addition that might seem counterintuitive - duck tape.

Thank you, that is actually very reasonable and I did think about it. It's just that I hadn't been lucky enough to find duct tape being sold (and not sold out) anywhere in these three weeks.

I managed to lay my hands on a cool flashlight and some bandages and sterile gauze in the last couple of days, hella happy about it. Bought from the guys I know that are in the army. The new definition of treasures...(and yeah, I technically kinda stole from the army by proxy, but they're fine, people who aren't in the army keep donating piles of the same crap so they wouldn't run out anytime soon).

People at work are being petty about petty work stuff and it makes me want to smack someone in the face. It also makes me think of the scene from the movie "The day after" where a farmer tries to drag his wife away into a makeshift fallout shelter minutes before a nuclear strike, and she hysterically refuses to go and instead continues preparations for her daughter's no-longer-upcoming wedding. This desperate grappling with reality of normalcy being gone...
"St. Peter don't you call me, cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store".

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
I'm hunting for info on the possibilities that you have to reach EU countries once you enter Romania.

Many nations are offering free public transport for ukrainians:
Romania, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and France.

There are 2 possible applications in Romania (as in other EU countries):
-Asylum (international protection)
-Temporary protection

Asylum is a more bureaucratic procedure and slower. And it seems binding (you have to stay in that country until the end of the asylum, unless you travel back to ukraine).

While it seems that temporary protection is a special measure that has been granted during this emergency; faster and the preferred choice for many ukrainians that left. It lasts at least for 1 year and gives you access to housing, jobs, medical system.

It is still unclear to me whether you can apply for temporary protection if you have only an ID card (the online resources are extremely disorganized!).
Also: it's unclear which is the procedure if you want to travel through Romania to another country.
I have the impression that it should be possible, as I have found some partial info on how to reach ireland with an ukrainian ID card.

These are 2 important points that we should try to clarify.

While browsing in search for these info, I have found other additional details that might show you which kind of support you will be able to receive.
There are websites with all sort of offers (jobs, housing, pet care).
This is for romania:

Accommodation, food and more | European solidarity for Ukraine Refugees

Refugees.ro is a platform that helps to streamline the support offered by the European population to the refugees from Ukraine. They can find all the resources and information they need during this difficult time.

refugees.ro

I've seen that germany offers health insurance card to ukrainians (but also other nations do that) and free unlimited sim cards.

For Romania I have found this, which might be interesting for you:
"In addition, Ukrainian citizens will be able to work in Romania as "digital nomads", a status recently regulated by the authorities. A digital nomad visa allows an individual to obtain a residence permit in Romania while working remotely. The main requirement for obtaining such a visa is that the applicant is an employee of a foreign company or has owned a company registered outside of Romania for more than three years."

Since you work remotely, you might be able to benefit from that.

 

[GrumpyFrog]

@My_name_is_Luka as usual, you are impressive, thank you for your help!

t is still unclear to me whether you can apply for temporary protection if you have only an ID card (the online resources are extremely disorganized!).
Also: it's unclear which is the procedure if you want to travel through Romania to another country.

Totally agree on the disorganized part, I'm very confused about the thing but from what I gathered I can't ask for temporary protection without a valid passport.

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
I think that the best thing would be to write to some of the contacts on the websites and ask them. The procedures for the admission are still evolving; being it a legal thing, I'm not surprised that it's so confusing to many people.
Otherwise we should find some ukrainian that fled to Romania with an ID card and ask their experience.

 

[Depressed Cat]

Totally agree on the disorganized part, I'm very confused about the thing but from what I gathered I can't ask for temporary protection without a valid passport.

From what I gather, a passport is not necessary, Nessie

Preparing to leave

If possible, please take valid travel documents with you when leaving. However, the lack of travel documents or medical documents (certificate of vaccination, COVID-19 test) should not be an obstacle to entering the EU.

All EU countries bordering Ukraine are allowing entry to all people fleeing war in Ukraine on humanitarian grounds regardless of whether or not you have a biometric passport. This applies also to children. If you have Ukrainian nationality and a biometric passport, you can enter the EU by presenting your passport at the border. For all the other cases, Member States will admit you on humanitarian grounds. ...

Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine

People fleeing Ukraine and coming to the EU can find information about temporary protection, their rights, travel information and services they have access to

ec.europa.eu

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
this is what my cousin told me (she has a network of ppl helping refugees in switzerland):
you should be able to enter an EU country with your ID and you don't need to start the procedures for the request of asylum or temporary protection in that country. You can travel to any other country for free with your ukrainian ID.
Once you reach the destination where you want to stay, you can then start the procedure for the asylum or temporary protection in that city.

I will try to verify this

 

[whatevs]

The evacuation bus provided by our employer can only take 16 people. There are 22 employees living in Eastern Ukraine. Impressive.
I gave up my spot to someone who actually doesn't want to die. I guess I can see upsides to dying at home.
I'm sick of the news and I expect nothing to come out of there. I'm watching the Simpsons while I'm working, and I'm working nearly 24/7, maybe with 2-3 hours for sleep and other necessities a day. I am being pressured to work even harder but that just isn't humanly possible and I do not care anymore, they can fire me and hire someone from a country where there isn't a war if they want to. I am too traumatized and numb to care about that.
If things keep to the baseline the way they do now, I'd use Simpsons as a sort of a measuring stick. I can watch 2 seasons a day, but it's a really long show, isn't it? If I don't see any hopeful ways out by the time I'll get to whatever the last season is, I'd quit my job myself and will start immediate preparations to CTB. If things turn to the worse it might be earlier then that - if electricity goes I'm willing to wait it out until my phone and both powerbanks run out of charge, and if food will become really scarce or there is an actual risk of being taken hostage or if my apartment gets hit with anything I'm giving up immediately.
I woke up to air raid sirens 20 minutes after going to bed today and I'm just too exhausted to care. I just pulled the blanket over my head and continued to sleep.
I have no idea what positive turn of events I'm even waiting for. I simply don't know what scenario within the realm of possibility could make it better. But I'd wait it out for a little bit more anyway.
Sorry for diaring all over the place. Have a nice day, folks.

It's dangerous watching the last seasons if you don't want to kill yourself just yet, you know.

@Nessie
this is what my cousin told me (she has a network of ppl helping refugees in switzerland):
you should be able to enter an EU country with your ID and you don't need to start the procedures for the request of asylum or temporary protection in that country. You can travel to any other country for free with your ukrainian ID.
Once you reach the destination where you want to stay, you can then start the procedure for the asylum or temporary protection in that city.

I will try to verify this

Except that someone that is suicidal or semi-suicidal doesn't feel like struggling and running around just to extend their lifespan.

 

[GrumpyFrog]

It's dangerous watching the last seasons if you don't want to kill yourself just yet, you know.

Yeah, I do get it. Everything is dangerous right now...
Would your suggestion be just to CTB immediately?

 

[whatevs]

Yeah, I do get it. Everything is dangerous right now...
Would your suggestion be just to CTB immediately?

Oh, as soon as possible Nessie, as soon as possible... jk

I was just trying to say that the Simpsons stopped being good a long time ago lol.

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

Oh, as soon as possible Nessie, as soon as possible

reported. Leave this thread, newcomer, or I'll get you banned.

 

[whatevs]

reported. Leave this thread, newcomer, or I'll get you banned.

What are you talking about, it was a joke, you dummy. I have never not will never encourage anyone to kill themselves.

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
I have asked on the facebook page

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

People are very quick with answers and offers for hosting.
Regarding the ID card they told me that you can enter Romania with the identity card and remain for up to 90 days, without the need to request asylum. You can also travel from Romania toward other EU countries for free with your ID.
I think that this should suggest you that you could plan which country you want to reach. Up to you to decide whether you want to stay in Romania or to move to another place. We could check that also after you have relocated to Romania and you have a temporary host.

 

[GrumpyFrog]

Oh, as soon as possible Nessie, as soon as possible... jk

I was just trying to say that the Simpsons stopped being good a long time ago lol.

Oh, sorry, I wasn't thinking straight when I asked you that question. Now I see how I put you into an awkward position where I sort of imply you've said something that would get us in trouble with the f26 crowd. I kind of forgot about those assholes in the face of bigger assholes lately. I didn't mean to get you in trouble with mods or anything like that.

@My_name_is_Luka thank you so much for asking on my behalf, you're an absolute rockstar! I don't think they I tried to call the hotline they provide, but had no luck. My phone connection has a lot of issues in general but even when it worked I wasn't able to get through to them. I guess they are way too busy. But still, some people seem to suggest I can go.
Now I need to see if there is any way for me to, you know, catch that other bus, the one to Romania and not the one I started to plan.

 

[KimKevorkian]

I_AM_Luka--I am nominating you for both the Nobel and for Dalai Lama. I hope we can all meet for real in person one day. I am so humbled and in awe. You totally renew my belief in humanity's potential. And Nessie, you amaze me always. So intelligent, you speak better english than 101% of 'murcans...You are my kind of people for sure!

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
I'm in contact with another Ukrainian. He went to the netherlands.
He asked which document you have.
Do you have this one:

Ukrainian identity card - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

(known as the internal passport) ?

He traveled through Hungary and his biometric passport was not even checked.
He also advised that, if you want to transit from one country to another, you should not complete any paperwork in the country of transit (for ex. request for asylum).

If you want to get in touch with him, he is on reddit.
This user:

Reddit - The heart of the internet

www.reddit.com

I will try to find someone that went through romania too

I_AM_Luka--I am nominating you for both the Nobel and for Dalai Lama. I hope we can all meet for real in person one day. I am so humbled and in awe. You totally renew my belief in humanity's potential. And Nessie, you amaze me always. So intelligent, you speak better english than 101% of 'murcans...You are my kind of people for sure!

Yes, Nessie is incredible with her english, especially at her age! I'm sure that she will manage to settle down well in another country. 100% she will be able to use her skills with english as interpreter, just considering how many ukrainians got displaced to other countries.

 

[GrumpyFrog]

@My_name_is_Luka hi! As usual, I am amazed with the amount of effort you've put into helping me out. Thank you so much!
Yes, I do have an internal ID/internal passport. It's an oldschool booklet-style passport, issued back in 2009, not the new plastic ID card.
Thank you for sharing that contact, I'm not sure that he'll be able to help me, but I will try to get in touch.

Sending lots of love to everyone! Hope you're all doing well!

 

[not-2-b-the-answer]

So happy you're still ok. Hoping everything goes well.

 

[KimKevorkian]

I am greatly comforted that you are in good hands with the kind, generous souls here on this thread. I'm disabling KimK's account--it's time. But I have a feeling we'll meet up somewhere down the road. I'm with you Nessie and will be monitoring your situation even after I disable my SS account. I want to see you safe, secure, and in a much better place than you're in now. I-AM-Luka and others are hooking you up with resources and info. and showing such love. I want a group hug right now!! I love you all. Send me a telepathic message, Nessie, and let's see if I get it:)

 

[Depressed Cat]

Why are you leaving, @KimKevorkian ? You are such a great presence here. You will be missed!

 

[KimKevorkian]

Why are you leaving, @KimKevorkian ? You are such a great presence here. You will be missed!

You guys will be too. I think that other than the amazing people on this thread, and a cpl of other sweet folks, I don't identify with many nor they with me no doubt. There are a lot of cliques and sub-groups and some very extreme challenges--mentally-- with which people are struggling that are not in my wheelhouse. I'm of not much usefulness at this point, other than as a wise ass and trying to inject some dark humor into an all-too-morbid subject.

I think KimK has taken on a life of her own, like a golem fatale. The name was a melding of my admiration for, and as an homage, to Captain Jack, and also my disdain for contemporary pop culture vapidity embodied by the perennially sophomoric, solipsistic Kardashian clan and their hangers-on.

Just thinking it might be time to put her to bed.
Love to you all!

 

[GrumpyFrog]

@KimKevorkian you'll be missed, but I can understand your reasoning behind leaving. Good luck to you, whatever you choose!

 

[My_name_is_Luka]

@Nessie
is everything fine? do you need further help?
Do not hesitate to make requests.
I'm also in contact with a man in Lviv that helps with evacuations of people and deliveries of food.
If you need me to find you a contact with any person (volunteers, or other refugees) I can do that

 

[GrumpyFrog]

@My_name_is_Luka thank you so much! You've already been a great help so far.
I am okay. The bus that my employer provided, however, already left on Friday, so I am home, at least for the time being. I also think that the railroad was blocked again, but I'm not sure...
But generally things are okay. I still have connection, electricity, heating and running water, and the food is there.