"I can't leave my father alone"
"It's really hard to find a job"
says those who return to Ukraine.
Two months have passed since the invasion, and in fact, more and more people are returning to Ukraine from their evacuation destination, Poland.
The number is 20,000 a day.
Why are Russian attacks continuing in various parts of the country?
Four questions asked to those returning to Ukraine
At the train station in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, I called out to those returning to Ukraine and asked the following four questions.
Here are the answers from the three people who responded to the interview.
1. 1.
Where do you live in evacuation?
2.
What made you decide to evacuate?
3. 3.
Why are you returning to Ukraine?
Four.
Do you have any concerns after returning to Japan?
I can't leave my father alone
Elizabeth (22) Evacuated from eastern Donetsk Oblast
1.
Where do you live in evacuation?
About a month ago, I evacuated from Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, with my mother and my 9-year-old sister.
I had been evacuated to Cyprus, where I have relatives, via Poland, but this time I decided to return to Ukraine by myself.
2.
Why are you returning home now?
I haven't been able to contact my 50-year-old father, who remains in Ukraine, for a few days, and I don't know where or what he is doing.
I cannot leave my father alone in Ukraine as it is.
I can't do anything if my dad joins the army, but I'd like to meet him somehow and take him to a safe place in Ukraine.
3. 3.
What was the situation around your home when you decided to evacuate?
The area where I lived is not controlled by the Russian army.
Even so, the area around my house was bombed and the sound of the bombing was terrible, so I decided to evacuate my family to a safe place first.
My mother wasn't happy that I would return to Ukraine alone, but she explained my thoughts and convinced me.
Cyprus was a beautiful, peaceful and quiet city, but in Ukraine the soldiers are still in a dire situation and are worried about everyone.
Wherever I am, my head is full of Ukraine.
Four.
Do you have any concerns after returning to Japan?
When can I find my father and find a solution?
I don't know when I'll be back because it depends on the situation.
So I only have a one-way ticket.
But now, mysteriously, I don't care what my life will be like in the future.
I'm just worried about my family.
Besides, I don't have a boyfriend, so I have one less problem than everyone else.
No matter what, it's my life, so I'll accept everything.
If I can help my father, I have no choice but to do what I can.
I don't care.
I can't find a job
Irina (beautician) Evacuate from the capital Kieu
1.
Where do you live in evacuation?
About a month ago, I evacuated from the capital Kieu to Poland.
I lived with a Polish acquaintance.
In Poland, I am very grateful to everyone for their kindness.
I was looking for a job, but it was difficult because of the language barrier.
2.
Why are you returning home now?
I miss my hometown and Kiu is quite quiet lately so I'm going home.
Also, finding a job here is really hard.
Every country needs money to live, but many have come to Poland.
I also had a manufacturing job at the factory, but it's a hard job.
There is plenty of work in Kieu, even during the war.
Anyone who wants to work can make money.
It's easier than Poland because we know our country.
Of course, it's not that good.
3. 3.
What was the situation around your home when you decided to evacuate?
I lived in the center of Kyiv.
Sirens were constantly ringing, and missiles were flying overhead.
It was very scary.
People were in the shelter every day.
I couldn't stay home.
Especially in the first week after the war started, I was the most scared because I didn't know what would happen.
Two apartments in the center were damaged.
Missiles are flying, so I thought I had to escape somewhere.
Four.
Do you have any concerns after returning to Japan?
If I had to evacuate again, I would have no choice but to return to somewhere in Poland, such as Warsaw.
I want this war to end soon.
Either way, it's not the same as it used to be, and it will be more difficult in the future as an economic crisis occurs.
With so many houses destroyed in Ukraine, I sincerely hope that other countries will help with the reconstruction.
The company told me to come back ...
Arona Habriluk (Accountant) Evacuated from northwestern Zhytomyr Oblast
1.
Where do you live in evacuation?
Around March 5, I came to Poland with my brother's wife and his son, relying on an acquaintance, and lived in a general household.
It went well and I am very grateful to the Polish people.
2.
Why are you returning home now?
I'm a little tired, so I want to go home.
Life in other homes cannot be like home.
The host family had three children and we were tired.
Maybe the war will last for months or even a year.
We don't have the money or time to stay here.
Also, I received a phone call from my workplace saying, "Ask me, come back to work."
I used to work online without quitting, but if I stayed here for a long time, I think I probably wouldn't have a job at Zhytomyr.
3. 3.
What was the situation around your home when you decided to evacuate?
A bomb fell in the middle of the city.
One of them fell into school and was completely destroyed.
My workplace was about 500 meters from there.
I heard the plane fly very low all day long.
So we decided to evacuate to Poland.
Four.
Do you have any concerns after returning to Japan?
The host family said, "You can come back."
But I just hope that the same thing will never happen again.
There weren't that many bombings at Zhytomyr.
Something may fly from the sky, but there are no Russian soldiers in our town.
You may be able to continue working online for a few weeks.
But it's always difficult.
I am told to go to work at 8 o'clock every morning because I need the work of a state-owned enterprise, documents and materials.
If you do not return, you will not be able to receive salary during this period.
When that happens, I have to quit my job and find a new one in Poland.
However, it takes a lot of time to learn Polish.
Besides, I don't want to stay here because Ukraine still has parents and family.
At a station crowded with people returning to Ukraine
This time, only a few people talked to us, and the Warsaw station was very crowded with people taking sleeper trains and buses to Ukraine.
At first, I was still wondering why I would return to the dangerous Ukraine, but as I was told, I realized that there were worries and conflicts that I had to return to my home as the evacuation life was prolonged. ..
I would like to continue to cover the evacuees who are forced to live in Ukraine.
(International Department, Takehiro Kano)