The 2022 Ukrainian refugee exodus has put Romania on the map of host countries for refugees while simultaneously testing the limits of Romania’s—and Romanians’—solidarity and responsibility towards forcibly displaced people. This study employs a qualitative approach to analyse how this refugee crisis has been portrayed across three major Romanian investigative journalism platforms. The findings suggest that solidarity with refugees was seen as extraordinary humanitarianism, especially during the first three months after the onset of the war. This research also explores how the volunteer efforts of Romanian citizens and civil society organisations may contribute to the depoliticisation of humanitarianism. Our analysis indicates that the mobilisation of ordinary Romanians and civil society may have had a dual effect: on the one hand, these efforts depoliticised humanitarianism by concentrating on grassroots responses; on the other hand, they fostered elements of repoliticisation by resurfacing systemic challenges and state responsibilities. Furthermore, this chapter highlights the Romanian investigative media’s role in amplifying refugee’s voices, portraying them not merely as victims but as active agents navigating their circumstances. This is achieved by analysing journalistic interviews with displaced Ukrainians who sought and received protection from Romania as war refugees, allowing them to share their experiences and perceptions regarding the support provided by ordinary Romanians and the long-term integration measures implemented by the state. Thus, the analysis emphasises how media narratives can simultaneously empower refugees and reveal the interplay between civil society initiatives and state-led integration measures. At the same time, this study discusses the role of the media in highlighting refugee resilience by presenting them as agents rather than voiceless individuals solely dependent on immediate material assistance. By bridging these perspectives, this research sheds light on the dual role of civil society and the investigative media in shaping both public perceptions and policy debates around humanitarianism in Romania.