GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Anastasiia Lehova is 19 years old, with the world on her shoulders.
She’s a Ukrainian student studying right here in Green Bay, who’s family is caught in the cross fire.
“It’s scary explosions in my hometown, in capital, in many cities,” she said.
“What’s your biggest fear when it comes to your family in the midst of this situation?” FOX 11 asked.
“I think everyone biggest fear is the possibility of death,” answered Lehova.
Her family is in Mariupol, southeastern Ukraine.
While many Ukrainian refugees are headed towards Poland, Lehova says it may not be an option for her parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
“It’s very dangerous to go out of the city,” she said.
While Lehova’s family has not yet had to flee their home, hundreds of thousands of people have. We spoke to a previous United Nations consultant who now teaches at Lawrence University about what it takes to provide for refugees.
“I’ve worked with the United Nations as a consultant and a writer,” said professor of government, Claudena Skran.
She spoke on gathering things like medical supplies, shelter, clothes and other basic needs.
“Where does the money come from for all of these things?” asked FOX 11.
“National governments will be donating their space, their services, and then they’ll be boosted by international actors,” explained Professor Skran. ” So, the biggest one is the United Nations Refugee Agency, which is known as the UNHCR.”
The UNHCR saying more than one million refugees have now fled Ukraine to neighboring countries.
“When the dust settles, how do you get refugees back home?” FOX 11 asked.
“The answer is unfortunately we don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Skran. “It’s possible that refugees will be resettled and the US and Canada have refugee resettlement programs. So, refugees are resettled to places like Green Bay.”
As for Lehova, she’s hoping it’s not the fate of her family at home.
And if she could talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin himself
“We didn’t ask Russia to come to our territory and “liberty” us from something,” said Lehova. “Now we want peace.”
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