Press Releases – Page 2

Music, Discussions, and Art: Moldova Holds “Amare Amala” Roma Culture Week

12/04/24

The Republic of Moldova will host theatre performances, discussions and vibrant cultural presentations as part of “Amare Amala: Roma Culture Week” from 8-13 April, which will end with a Roma music concert on Saturday. This series of events is dedicated to International Roma Day, marked annually on 8 April. The events aim to raise awareness of Roma culture and combat stereotypes and discrimination against this ethnic minority.

In the 2014 census of the population of the Republic of Moldova, 9,383 people declared themselves to be Roma. However, more recent estimates suggest that there are more than 27,000 Roma in the country, a number that is even higher after hundreds of Roma from Ukraine fled the war and sought refuge in the country. Yet Roma continues to face discrimination and misunderstanding, often dictated by a lack of knowledge of their rich traditions and culture.

At the initiative of the Roma Task Force, starting in 2023 has been organised, “Amare Amala: Roma Culture Week”, a series of events dedicated to 8 April. Last year, the week of events organised at the national level saw the participation of more than 1500 people, and the organisers aim to increase this number for this edition, thus contributing to raising awareness of Roma traditions, culture and history, and combating discrimination against this community.

Marin Alla, director of the “Roma Voice” Coalition – a coalition of 38 Roma organizations, says: “The Roma community in Moldova is not a burden. The country that has Roma is a rich, free, and independent country. The Roma community in Moldova love the land they were born in and cannot sell it.”

The events organized throughout the Roma week offer the opportunity for everyone to discover the uniqueness of these people through the universal language of the arts. Marco Buono, Head of Mission of INTERSOS Moldova, one of the main organizers of the “Amare Amala” events, declared: “At INTERSOS, we believe that recognizing and celebrating International Roma Day empowers Romani individuals and communities by affirming their identity, dignity, and rights. Through organizing this musical event dedicated to Roma culture, we aim to renew our commitment to promoting the rights and well-being of Romani people and to contribute to raising awareness among the general public about the challenges and discrimination faced by Romani communities.”

This year’s Amare Amala Week includes for the first time nationwide educational activities in gymnasiums, high schools and universities. This is possible thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova. “In the week dedicated to Roma culture, we express our gratitude to this community and pay tribute to their contribution to the development of our society. We are committed to working together to promote Roma rights, culture and education, thus building a more inclusive future for all members of this community.”, said the Minister Dan Perciun, Educational institutions will take the initiative to organize these activities, with support from national and international organizations, aimed at increasing acceptance and inclusion of Roma children.

The series of events also includes a two-day regional conference organized by the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to promote the inclusion of Roma people in the refugee response in Moldova and to share good practices from other countries hosting Ukrainian refugees. This is the first regional event dedicated to discussing Roma inclusion, and it will bring together representatives and Roma mediators from five European countries. Francesca Bonelli, Representative of UNHCR Moldova, said: “Embracing diversity means recognising the beauty of our differences and the strength in our unity. The Roma Culture Week is therefore an excellent opportunity for us not only to honour diversity but also to cultivate a society where every individual can thrive. Following the principle of leaving no one behind, UNHCR supports and empowers Roma refugees and their communities by ensuring their access to services and fostering social cohesion.“

“Amare Amala: Roma Culture Week” this year will conclude with a concert at the “Mihai Eminescu” National Theatre, performed by the Moldovan National Youth Orchestra,on 13 April. More than 30 young musicians will perform under the baton of Andriano Marian, the famous conductor from the Republic of Moldova, who is also of Roma ethnicity, featuring symphonic versions of Roma culture songs from Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Spain and Portugal. Joining the orchestra will be soloists Ana Raiu, Aurel Chirtoaca, Felicia Dunaf and Misha Grossu, Mihai Duminică and Ionuț Ciocanu.

The concert will be preceded by an activity fair for children and adults from 1:00 pm to 5.30 pm, where visitors will be able to participate in interactive games, face painting, drawing, quiz games and more. More details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/394735336811153

The Roma week events are free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development, the European Union, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNHCR, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Organization for Migration.

Jacopo Caridi, NRC Country Director, said: “It is an honour for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to participate for the second consecutive year in the celebration of International Roma Week in Moldova. Around the world, NRC prioritizes assisting conflict-displaced and vulnerable communities, such as the Roma in Moldova. In partnership with the local NGO ROMNI, we helped conflict-displaced people from the Roma community, ensuring access to legal information and participation in protection activities to promote their culture, enhance integration, and avoid discrimination.”

Lars Johan Lönnback, IOM Moldova’s Chief of Mission, has declared: ”IOM stands in solidarity with Roma communities, supporting their right to equality and full participation in all aspects of society. The Rome Culture Week is an important initiative that reminds us how crucial respect for diversity, the fight against all forms of discrimination, including hate speech, and common work for a just development of the country. Since 2022, IOM in the Republic of Moldova, thanks to the support of the donor community, has provided substantial assistance to Roma refugees displaced from Ukraine to prevent human trafficking and combat gender-based violence.”

All events planned for 8-13 April can be found in the joint events calendar created by the organizers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and UNHCR strengthen cooperation on supporting refugees and host communities affected by the conflict in Ukraine

10/04/24

Chisinau, 10 April 2024. Minister of Interior Adrian Efros met with the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency representative in the Republic of Moldova, Francesca Bonelli, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to continue the collaboration between the two institutions.

During the encounter, the officials discussed the current situation of refugees in the Republic of Moldova, with a focus on the measures needed to ensure their appropriate protection and assistance. The discussions centered around ensuring these individuals receive the necessary services, underscoring the vital role of international cooperation and collaboration with other countries and organizations.

Furthermore, the need to improve legal and policy frameworks for the protection of refugees and to promote sustainable solutions for their integration into local communities was also addressed.

The Memorandum sets the stage for a comprehensive partnership, covering areas such as refugee assistance and protection, information management, emergency preparedness, and response coordination, alongside institutional capacity building.

Key priorities include devising medium and long-term assistance programs to seamlessly integrate displaced persons from Ukraine into local communities, facilitating voluntary repatriation programs with the assistance of UNHCR and IOM, and bolstering infrastructure and capacities for refugee reception and protection.

“UNHCR’s collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs is key to keep providing support to refugees and the Moldovans who warmly host them, to integrate them into the society, and we hope to equip them with all means necessary to make this possible”, said Francesca Bonelli.

“The signing of this memorandum marks an important step in strengthening the partnership between our institutions and in supporting those affected by the conflict in Ukraine”, stressed Minister Adrian Efros.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and UNHCR have shown their openness to continue working together to address the urgent needs of refugees and to promote their social and economic inclusion in Moldova.

A series of films about the experience of forced displacement and the lives of refugees was presented at the first Short Film Festival in Moldova

09/04/24

Nearly 40 filmmakers from the Republic of Moldova participated in the first short film festival in our country. Four of their creations, selected by the festival’s jury, were awarded professional Sony cameras.

Launched in October 2023 by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Association of Creative Companies of Moldova (COR) and USM’s Centre for Production and Technologies for Film, Gaming and New Media Industries, Mediacor, “One Minute Festival: On the Move” compiled theory with practice. For 2 weeks, all those who wanted to create a short film could sign up for courses and masterclasses with experts from the film and storytelling industry. In total, the filmmaking workshops brought together over 300 participants.

Festival topics focused on forced displacement, refugee stories, hope away from home in the social-political context of recent years. After the theoretical part, participants had a few months to create their films and register them for the competition.

On 5 April 2024, the closing event took place at Mediacor, where 49 short films were presented and the award ceremony for the four best short films according to the jury took place:

1st place: Ceban Dmitrii, “Interdiction”

2nd place: Nicolae Butuc, “Separation”

3rd place: Rotaru Liviu, “There will be everything”

With global forced displacement at a record high of over 108.4 million people, promoting inclusion and empathy is crucial and the creative industry has a key role to play as it can be a major driver of change. The One Minute: On the Move Festival has succeeded in giving voice to displaced people and refugee stories and creating a platform to facilitate the expression and exchange of ideas.

About the festival: https://www.1minfilms.md/

About UNHCR Moldova: https://www.unhcr.org/md/

About Mediacor: https://www.mediacor.md/

About COR: http://cor.md/

One minute film festival: premiere screening

One Minute Film Festival: Premiere Screening in Chisinau, The Republic of Moldova

For questions, please contact:

Monica Vazquez

[email protected]

UNHCR External Relations Officer

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Moldova’s Refugee Response Plan for 2024: international solidarity and joint achievements

15/02/24

Chișinău, 15 February 2024. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in collaboration with the Republic of Moldova government, launched the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP), aiming to assist 90,000 refugees and 35,500 vulnerable Moldovans with USD 303 million. Amid the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands sought refuge in Moldova since February 24, 2022, continued support remains essential.

In a display of international cooperation and solidarity, authorities at all levels, the United Nations (UN), international and national non-governmental organizations (INGOs and NGOs), the private sector, academia and local civil society have partnered under the Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine situation since February 2022. The document guides the humanitarian efforts, states the needs, and the financial support required. Moldova’s refugee response, now entering its third year, stands out as a role model, thanks to the effective and humane leadership of the government of the Republic of Moldova, the solidarity of Moldovans, and continuous international support.

“Thanks to the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the UN, humanitarian partners, and the people who collaborated and contributed to the elaboration of the Refugee Response Plan for the year 2024. This plan is the basis of our joint work in the country and is the only document in the region that targets refugees and locals alike. With the war in Ukraine still decimating lives and displacing people, coordinating efforts is essential to ensure assistance reaches those who need it most “, said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR Moldova representative.

As we enter the third year of the Refugee Response in Moldova, recognizing joint achievements is crucial. In 2023, we reached with assistance nearly 160,000 individuals, including 51,000 vulnerable Moldovans. In 2023, 46,000 hosting family members, alongside over 86,000 refugees received cash assistance, injecting over 123,000,000 USD into the Moldovan economy.

“The United States continues to be impressed by the nationwide response to the refugee situation and Moldova’s true hospitality. The United States has provided nearly $118 million to support refugees in Moldova – and their host communities – since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine “, declared Kent Logsdon, United Stated Ambassador in the Republic of Moldova.

Another key achievement was the activating of Temporary Protection for the Ukrainian refugees. RRP partners worked closely with the government for a successful implementation, resulting in almost 30,000 refugees with TP status.

“Amid uncertainty, Moldova remains committed to defending human rights and democracy. We are confident that this year’s Refugee Response Plan will be guided by high-level collaboration and working shoulder to shoulder to achieve better results than last year”, stated Alexei Buzu, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection.

Close collaboration with national and local civil society organizations led to a surge in their participation in the 2024 RRP, from two Moldovan NGOs in 2022 to 46 out of 82 total partners.

The 2024 Refugee Response Plan focuses on key priorities. It aims to continue assisting individuals in obtaining legal status, particularly Temporary Protection prioritizes providing life-saving support for vulnerable individuals and enhancing their socio-economic inclusion, addressing barriers in accessing jobs, education, and healthcare. Additionally, it aims to promote social cohesion between refugees and host communities, preserving a welcoming and supportive environment. The plan also includes support for government authorities at all levels to enhance emergency preparedness, building resilience against future shocks caused by forced displacement.