Yuliya Merkotan from Kryvyi Rih
Good day! My name is Yuliya. This is my son Mykyta, he is 3 years old. We live in Kryvyi Rih, the Dnipro region. This is the frontline area. We ask for your help. We want to tell you what happened to us on February 24, when russia went to war against our Ukraine. On February 24, my son and I woke up to the sounds of explosions, but at first, we did not understand what it was. February 23 was calm. We turned on the TV and saw on the news that russia had attacked Ukraine, and missile strikes were carried out on military units. It was very scary, I was alone with the child and did not understand what to do. Sirens, air alarms, missile strikes, and the offensive of enemy troops began. At first, we wanted to go to another country, but I was afraid to go with a child into the unknown. That’s why we stayed here. We spend the night in the corridor, it is not known where the rocket will land. I have to sleep in the corridor because it is very scary. Life has changed radically. Before the war, I worked as a salesperson in a store. I lost my job. Kindergartens are closed and I have no one to leave my child with, I am forced to stay at home with her. I receive social benefits of UAH 2,500 for the child. These funds are catastrophically insufficient. Products and utility services have become very expensive. We live in our apartment, we do not rent housing. We don’t have enough money for food, medicine, or child clothes. I can’t go to work because there is no one to leave the child with. The child was very worried during those days of the war. He did not understand what an air alarm was, that he had to go and hide. I explain everything to him, we somehow managed it. Yesterday was very scary. Yesterday, russia launched 7 rockets in our town. We ask for your help if you have the opportunity.