Thread by @GlblCtznAfrica

Today marks one year since the start of the #UkraineWar. A year ago, as millions tried to flee the country, #AfricansInUkraine faced racism at the borders as they tried to escape to safety.

This thread documents some of their experiences👇

Dr. Jessica Orakpo walked for 12 hours to catch a bus to flee the country, only to be told she wasn’t allowed to board.

“I was begging. The official literally looked me in my eye and said: ‘Only Ukrainians. That’s all. If you are Black, you should walk.’” she recalls.

This became a reality for most Africans.

“We were thousands and thousands of Africans & Indians at the borders. And also the Ukrainians of course. They had two gates (at the border): one for the Ukrainians only. And then the other was for every other person.” says Vukile Dlamini

Not only were #AfricansInUkraine experiencing racism and discrimination, they had to endure the toll of the war as well.

“The fear of dying, the fear of death, was too much for us,” said Camille Brondeau.

Over the past year, Global Citizen Writer and Editor @khanyilite has made it her mission to uncover the stories of the African citizens who experienced this discrimination firsthand throughout the #UkraineWar.

Here’s what she learned👇

As we reflect on #Ukraine1YearOn – the true cost of this war is staggering. Millions have been displaced, millions more are on the brink of hunger, hundreds of thousands are dead… The list goes on.

Learn more about the impact of this war👇 globalcitizen.org/en/content/ukr…