Ukrainian family fleeing Russia's war receives warm welcome in Ottawa

Annawipedaway tears as she walkedtoward the house she and her family will call home, for now.

"I want to say thank [you], everyone," said the 18-year-old Ukrainian, who arrived inOttawafrom Romania onSunday."Being safe is the most important [thing]for us now."

CBC has agreed to withhold the family's surname for their protection.

Anna arrivedwith her seven-year-old sister Tatiia, her mother Olena and her father Levan, who is originally from the former Soviet republic of Georgia and is therefore exempt from military conscription in Ukraine.

I can't believe it. There are a lot of people with very kind hearts.- Anna

The teen is the only member of her family who speaks English.

On Sunday evening, dozens of neighbours stood in the rain to welcome thefamily to their temporary home in the Nepean neighbourhood. Some held welcome signsandothers draped Ukrainian flags over their shouldersin a show of support.

"I can't believe it," said Anna. "There are a lot of people with very kind hearts."

Family fled as invasion intensified

The family isfromUkraine'scoastal city of Odesa, where they owna bakery.

When the war broke out in late February, Anna said her family quickly began supporting troops by feeding them.

"We cooked meals for 60people every day," said Anna. "We cooked soups, mashed potatoes. Because they need to eat something."

The family was forced to flee March 4 as the invasion intensified, she said.They crossed the border into Romania, leaving nearly everything behind, carryingonly one piece of luggage for the family of four.

"It was terrible," Annarecalled. "I hate [the]people that started this war in my country."

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rightsreported last week that a month of fighting in Ukraine had resulted in 1,179 dead and 1,860 wounded civilians, although there are countless moreunaccounted for.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees,Filippo Grandi, said10 million people have been displaced within or outside the country, some with serious injuries.

Offering a safe haven

Anna and her family are nowstaying with Tammy Jeanveaux, whodecided to open up her four-bedroom Nepean home afterthe invasion began,and who ralliedthe community todonate everything the family needs to start life in Canada.

"I felt like I had so much to give," Jeanveaux said.

She also said stepping up to helpis something her late ex partner a former U.S. military pilot would have done.

"I thought the best way to honour his memory was to do something," said Jeanveaux. "Either he would have opened his doors to them or he would have been over there fighting."

The Nepean woman was able to connect with the family through a Facebook group that matches Ukrainians fleeing the war with Canadians willing to take them in.

As soon as she read about the family, she knew it would be a match.

Jeanveaux picked them up at the Montreal airport Sunday afternoon and drove them to Ottawa.

Parents plan to work at local bakery

This family isn't the first Ukrainian familyfleeing Russia'swar to make their way to Ottawa.

Earlier this month, an elderly couple from the city of Kharkiv arrived in the capitalto reconnect with their daughter, who is living in Stittsville.

Anna said her mother and fatherreceived work visas Sunday, and that they're planningto get a job at a local bakery.

Her family decided to settle inCanadabecause ofitseducation system, she said.

The 18-year-old hopes to attend the University of Ottawa this fall.