In Moldova, Religious Leaders call for increased support for refugees and host communities
Chisinau, 2 February
This week, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, Religions for Peace, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, hosted a delegation of leaders of the world’s diverse faith traditions, the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders. The delegation was welcomed by Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan, local religious leaders and representatives from faith-based organizations involved in the refugee response, in a ‘Solidarity for Peace Dialogue’, featuring a roundtable discussion to bolster inter-religious support for refugees and their host communities in Moldova.
Forced displacement is a complex and growing crisis. By mid-2022, over 103 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with 74 per cent of them hosted in low- and middle-income countries. Responding to this crisis requires a whole-of-society approach as outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees, encompassing not only States and humanitarian organizations, but also religious leaders and faith-based organizations.
This initiative, bringing together international and local faith leaders as well as the Government and civil society to mobilize inter-religious support for refugees was the first of its kind. Faith leaders present encouraged their communities and faith-based organizations in their tireless provision of services and the promotion of inclusion and social cohesion in forced displacement contexts.
“Religions for Peace is committed to sharing the light of wisdom and compassion coming from each and all faith traditions. The strong belief is that when religions work together, no one is left behind”, said Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace.
Despite challenges and limited resources of their own, Moldovans have shown remarkable humanity in welcoming almost 750,000 Ukrainian refugees since the invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago. Over 102,000 refugees currently remain, almost half of whom are children.
“As wars, conflict, and persecution continue to force people to flee their homes, we seek the support of faith leaders and their communities…We need a new commitment to solidarity with all refugees, no matter where they are coming from. The solidarity in Moldova is an important example for the rest of the world”, said Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR.
This initiative will support UNHCR in deepening its engagement with religious leaders to promote inclusion and social cohesion and better coordinate services for people who are forcibly displaced as well as the communities who receive them, enabling refugees and host communities alike to live more dignified lives, in line with the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees.
For more information, please contact:
- In Moldova: Timothy Shoffner; [email protected]
- In Geneva: Louise Donovan; [email protected]
About UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, protecting millions of people by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future. For more information, visit www.unhcr.org
About Religions for Peace
Religions for Peace comprises 90 national and six regional Inter-Religious Platforms, provides direct, multi-religious humanitarian support, and mobilises faith communities across the globe to welcome migrants and refugees, For more information, visit www.rfp.org
The United States and UNHCR support the Republic of Moldova’s General Police Inspectorate in increasing its mobility capacity
Chisinau, Moldova 13 January 2023: The United States of America and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today handed over 32 vehicles to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova to strengthen the government’s capacity to respond to the ongoing refugee emergency.
Since the war began in Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has mobilized its workforce to receive refugees efficiently, safely and humanely, while maintaining their normal duties serving the people of Moldova. To increase the General Police Inspectorate’s mobility and monitoring capacity, the generous support of the United States of America allowed UNHCR to provide 32 vehicles to the General Police Inspectorate.
“The Ministry continues to work on improving the working conditions of subdivision and employees, which will result in better service and protection for the people of Moldova and refugees residing in the country. We appreciate the support from our international partners”, said Ana Revenco, Minister of Internal Affairs.
The United States has been supporting the humanitarian response to the refugee situation in Moldova through the efforts of the United Nations and UNHCR.
“The United States is committed to partnering with the people and the government of Moldova to address immediate challenges and build a democratic, prosperous, and secure future. These vehicles are only our latest demonstration of that commitment,” said Ambassador of the United States Kent Logsdon.
UNHCR is supporting the Government of Moldova to strengthen its emergency preparedness and social protection capacities to ensure the safe and legal stay of refugees in the country.
“Ensuring that both refugees and local communities get the help they need is our top priority,” said Francesca Bonelli UNHCR Representative in Moldova. “The United States provides essential support to this work. We are grateful for this concrete show of solidarity with the Moldovan people and the refugees they have received so warmly here.”
Since March 2022, the Republic of Moldova has received over 667,913 arrivals and currently hosts over 102,016 refugees from Ukraine. A substantial number of those who remain in Moldova are women, children, and elderly refugees. 
©UNHCR/ S Abdulrahman
UNHCR is grateful to the Government of Japan for their contribution for Ukrainian Refugees in the Republic of Moldova
UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency warmly welcomes a contribution of USD 9,106,462 from the Government of Japan for crucial humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees and host communities in the Republic of Moldova.
The people of Japan’s generous contribution strengthens the operational capacity of UNHCR and its partners to reinforce support to the Government of the Republic of Moldova to implement the Temporary Protection regime, support refugee inclusion, and help host communities. This support includes technical protection expertise and building registration capacity for temporary protection, strengthening asylum and refugee status determination procedures, support for opening community service centres around the country that serve refugees and Moldovans alike, employment counselling, and other important services. In addition, this valuable support will help enable the national protection system and civil society actors to prevent, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation/abuse (SEA).
“Japan has been an essential partner to UNHCR across the globe and particularly in Moldova during the past months,” notes Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR’s Country Representative for the Republic of Moldova. “This support comes at a key juncture of the refugee response and marks a concrete manifestation of international solidarity with refugees and host communities here.”
Another notable outcome of Japan’s contribution is enhanced identification and referral of persons with specific needs to appropriate services — including children, women, persons with disabilities, older persons, as well as survivors and those at risk of gender-based violence (GBV) and/or human trafficking. It will expand the capacity of service-providers and support educational and recreational activities for Ukrainian refugee children enrolled in schools.
“It’s a tragedy that so many Ukrainians had had to flee from their country for safety and experience all kinds of difficulties since the beginning of the war. At this difficult time, we are deeply impressed by the generosity of the Moldovans who provide shelter to the refugees despite the economic difficulties of their own. I hope that the latest contribution from Japan through UNHCR will help address the huge needs.” said H.E. Mr. Yamada Yoichiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova has received more Ukrainian refugees per capita than any other country worldwide: for every three Moldovan citizens, one person from Ukraine has arrived since the war began. As of the 1st of January 2023, out of the total 739,467 arrivals, 102,103 Ukrainian refugees are currently hosted in Moldova, 84 percent of whom are women and children
UNHCR Moldova has been supporting government-led efforts to provide protection and support to refugees since establishing a presence in the country in 1997. UNHCR significantly expanded its operations in the country in late February in response to the influx of refugees from Ukraine to co-lead the interagency humanitarian response aligned with the Regional Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukraine Situation.
In 2022, Japan ranked as UNHCR’s 4th largest government donor with its contribution of USD 164 million, making it one of UNHCR’s top donors.
UNHCR will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in managing the refugee crisis
(Unofficial Translation)
(Guvernul Republicii Moldova) The measures taken by the national authorities to manage the refugee crisis and the actions planned for next year in order to support the Ukrainian citizens who are on the territory of the Republic of Moldova due to the war were discussed at the meeting of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița with the representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the Republic of Moldova, Francesca Bonelli.
The Prime Minister appreciated UNHCR’s support, which increased the Government’s response capacity and contributed to the development of effective mechanisms through which both Ukrainian refugees and their host families and communities can benefit from aid. The Prime Minister praised the unity and hospitality of the people of the Republic of Moldova, which mobilized to provide the Ukrainians with the necessary support.
“The solidarity shown by our people has changed the image of the Republic of Moldova throughout the world. At the same time, external partners, taking into account our limited resources, helped us to face the challenges and support the families who hosted Ukrainian citizens. It is admirable that we have all organized ourselves in such a way as to manage this crisis in a professional way”, said Natalia Gavrilița.
For her part, Francesca Bonelli thanked the government team for the work done and the openness to solving the problems related to the large flow of refugees: “The effort made by the Government during this period is incredible. Thanks to the involvement of the state institutions, but also of the citizens who reacted promptly and with a lot of empathy, Moldova has become a global example in the management of this crisis”.
The parties exchanged views on the cooperation framework for the next period. According to the prime minister, among the priorities are the expansion of temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine and the inclusion of refugee children in the school environment. In this sense, a series of Romanian language courses will be organized for children and adults, as well as support actions for educational institutions that also cover the refugee component.
Currently, over 7,800,000 people have left the territory of Ukraine, of which about 726,000 have transited to the Republic of Moldova. Currently, there are about 88,000 Ukrainian citizens on the territory of our country.
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL PROTECTION AND UN AGENCIES JOIN HANDS TO SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM
25 of November 2022, CHIȘINĂU – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to provide emergency cash assistance to crisis-affected populations and integrate shock response into the national social protection system in the Republic of Moldova. This programme is the first of its kind at its scale in Moldova, enabling a holistic and inclusive approach that will enable communities to become more shock resistant.
The programme was officially launched on the 25th of November with the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marcel Spatari; UN Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett; and the Heads of the UN Missions: Nigina Abaszada for UNFPA; Francesca Bonelli for UNHCR; Maha Damaj for UNICEF; Lars Lonnback for IOM; and Jonathan Campbell for WFP.
“This joint project shows international solidarity with Moldova and its people; these international funds complement government assistance programs and will allow us to make cash transfers to 40,000 of the most vulnerable families affected by the increase in energy and food prices that are worrying so many households. It will also allow us to have technical support to meet the additional demands brought by the current situation”, stated the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marcel Spatari.
UN Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett noted that “We all feel the enormity of responsibility to support citizens and communities amidst the current and likely prolonged period of uncertainty and instability and to ensure that no one is left behind. From the beginning, the UN in Moldova was committed to a joint coordinated response that complements the refugee emergency response with development interventions addressing the impacts of the socio-economic crises”.
“The eligibility criteria for the programme were established through a mutual agreement between the UN agencies and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The eligible families will benefit from MDL 700 financial aid monthly in the next 6 months. The selection will be done through the already existing “Ajutor Social” and “APRA” systems”, said Jonathan Campbell, Emergency Coordinator of WFP Moldova.
Factors deciding family eligibility for this assistance include families already selected for Ajutor Social or APRA; whether any family member has a degree of disability; the family consists of a single parent with children aged between 0-17; families with at least 3 children aged 0-17; families with pregnant or breastfeeding women with at least one child between the ages of 0-2.
“While the people of Moldova have shown unstinting solidarity by hosting the large number of refugees, this has squeezed existing resources and coping mechanisms of ordinary families. In order to sustain social cohesion among communities, we must not forget about the children in Moldova, who are the most vulnerable collateral victims of the war in Ukraine and who must always be protected” said Maha Damaj, UNICEF Country Representative.
“UNFPA prioritises the special needs of pregnant and lactating women who face multiple levels of vulnerability during times of crisis. It is important that this programme will increase the access of women and girls to services. There is robust evidence that cash assistance to pregnant and lactating women increase their service utilisation for earlier and more frequent antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, which has a direct impact on improving maternal health outcomes” said Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative
UNHCR Country Representative Francesca Bonelli emphasised that “the people and Government of this country have set a global example in how they have received refugees from Ukraine – and the MoU signed recently for the programme is one way for the international community to share that responsibility. UN support for Moldova’s social protection systems means that more Moldovans and refugees will get help when they need it.”
“IOM’s contribution to emergency cash provision for vulnerable Moldovans during this challenging winter will enable even more Moldovan families in need to receive much needed support. By joining hands with our UN partners and under the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, we are reaching out to people in need this winter: not only to vulnerable refugees who have fled the war in Ukraine, but also, through this project and others, to vulnerable Moldovans who would otherwise struggle during the cold months. We are all in this together. Beyond the winter, we will continue our support to the Government of the Republic of Moldova and its social protection mechanisms to ensure they are robust and can support all vulnerable people in the country”, stated Lars Johan Lönnback, Chief of Mission, IOM Moldova
Thanks to the generous support of donors to the above-mentioned UN agencies, this programme will reach vulnerable Moldovans throughout the Republic with financial support to help meet their essential needs over the winter.
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The UN agencies UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM and WFP, involved in the programme, have a mandate that integrates humanitarian interventions with government social protection system-strengthening, and have extensive global experience in contexts of fragility, displacement and conflict. Their experience in providing cash transfers in emergencies, emergency preparedness and shock-responsive social protection, and expertise in refugee and forced displacement crises make the agencies well placed to work effectively with governments and partners to assist vulnerable families and to ensure better preparedness to respond to shocks.
For more information, please contact us on the following email addresses and phone numbers:
For MLSP: Diana Blanaru, Head of Communications Department; +37369750710; [email protected]
For UNFPA: Ene Tuyliyeva, Communications Analyst, +37360246241; [email protected]
For UNHCR: Irina Odobescu, Communications Associate; +37369166030; [email protected]
For UNICEF: Angela Munteanu, Communications Officer; +37369123630; [email protected]
For IOM: Riccardo Severi, Communication and Information Officer; +37360407660; [email protected]
For WFP: Daniela Oleinic, Communications Associate; +373 68302207; [email protected]
UNHCR hosts roundtable discussion on refugee inclusion and economic growth
Chisinau, Moldova, 25 November 2022: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency hosted a roundtable discussion yesterday on refugee inclusion and economic growth. “Moldova has set an example for the world in fulfilling the vision of the Global Compact on Refugees,” said Gillian Triggs, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. “The roundtable explored how to ensure refugee inclusion and economic growth along with both humanitarian and development actors.”
The roundtable comprises a discussion on two aspects of stabilizing development support to refugees and host communities alike. The first session focused on operationalizing a temporary protection regime for refugees from Ukraine. Minister of Labour and Social Protection Marcel Spatari explained: “Under the provisions of the Commission for Emergency Situations, some temporary facilities and rights have been granted to refugees from Ukraine in our country. In a context where the conflict is growing in Ukraine, we must be prepared with the necessary instruments to safely manage the flow of refugees and provide them with adequate forms of social protection, including in the long term, in order to facilitate social inclusion.”
This emphasis on inclusion was echoed by many participants. Jana Costachi, State Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs highlighted the need for “a holistic approach because it is not only about people and the help given to them, but also about securing a person in need.” She also drew attention to pressures on institutional resources and attention at a time when the Government is facing multiple challenges at once.
The second session discussed how different actors around the table could collaborate to promote inclusive economic growth. “A focus on a comprehensive transition towards resilience-based, long-term development solutions is needed, with more investment creating opportunities for sustainable development ensuring no one is left behind,” noted United Nations Resident Coordinator Simon Springett. “UN Moldova support to the Government will continue to focus on strengthening and supporting national systems to build resilience against future shocks and crisis, and to enhance social protection schemes benefiting both vulnerable refugees and Moldovans, families and children while promoting social cohesion.”
Participants represented different sectors of society: all levels of government, local authorities, civil society, refugees, state partners, development actors, financial institutions, and international organizations. Sajjad Malik, Director of UNHCR’s Division of Resilience and Solutions, underscored that “a whole-of-society approach is essential to allow refugees to contribute to their host communities.” Ganna Sokur, a refugee from Ukraine who represented the NGO initiative Moldova for Peace, presented her own example of arriving at a master’s degree and a desire to actively contribute to her community. She added: “There are many favourable bases for refugee inclusion here, such as similarity of mentality, culture, and language. Targeted help, for those refugees that need particular support, is important to maximize these prospects.”
The Republic of Moldova has received nearly 698,000 arrivals from Ukraine and currently hosts over 96,600 refugees from Ukraine. A substantial number of those who remain in Moldova are women, children, and elderly refugees.
UNHCR hosts roundtable discussion on refugee inclusion and economic growth
UNHCR hosts roundtable discussion on refugee inclusion and economic growth
UNHCR hosts roundtable discussion on refugee inclusion and economic growth
United Nations, Government and NGOs launch the joint campaign to break the silence around gender-based violence in refugee and host communities
“Break the silence. We stand by you.” is a campaign launched today by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the empowerment of Women (UN Women), International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) jointly with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova on behalf of the coordination mechanism on gender-based violence in humanitarian settings, the Intersectoral Gender-based Violence (GBV) Sub-Working Group.
The campaign aims to spread a clear message of zero tolerance of all forms of GBV and to raise the awareness of the refugee and host communities on the existing prevention and response services to gender-based violence in the Republic of Moldova.
The campaign kicks off during the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence against women and girls campaign, which calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to end the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. The activities fall under the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE initiative to end gender-based violence by 2030.
The “Break the silence. We stand by you” joint campaign will run from November 2022 until March 2023 and will promote social cohesion, urging people from all walks of life to acknowledge, take a stand and act against gender-based violence.
Through a series of community outreach events, media partnerships, and social media engagement, the partners will build on the ongoing dialogue about the issue, invite the service providers and the communities to create a supportive environment and raise awareness about the existing services, and foster accountability so that every humanitarian effort provides safe and comprehensive survivor-centered services to those affected or at risk of violence.
In Moldova, 63 percent of women experienced psychological, physical, or sexual violence from their partners during their lifetime. Two in five women (40%) say that they have experienced physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of a partner or non-partner since the age of 15. Since the age of 15, nearly half of women (49%) indicate that they have been sexually harassed. More than one in five women (22%) report that they experienced a form of physical violence at the hands of an adult before they were 15 years old.
More than 65 percent of the Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Moldova are females. Women and girls caught up in the conflict, on the move, and at border crossing points face increased risks of gender-based violence, exploitation, and abuse. Young women traveling alone are at increased risk of trafficking for sexual exploitation at border points where document control and registration processes are patchy.
The Intersectoral GBV Sub-working Group brings together more than 63 national and international organizations, women-led organizations, and government entities. The members of the group partner to strengthen gender-based violence prevention, risk mitigation, and response, and ensure that refugee women and girls’ rights, including their right to live free from violence, remain at the center of Moldova’s humanitarian response.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, handed over two vehicles and a set of office equipment to the People’s Advocate Office of the Republic of Moldova
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, handed over two vehicles and a set of office equipment to the People’s Advocate Office of the Republic of Moldova. The delivered equipment is part of UNHCR support to the Government of Moldova and its specialised agencies that work on issues of refugee protection and human rights.
“UNHCR is pleased to take this concrete step forward in our partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman,” said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR’s Country Representative. “This equipment will help them carry on with their great work ensuring the protection of refugees and people in need.”
Last August, UNHCR signed an agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman to strengthen their collaboration in support of the existing engagement with refugees, human rights, training, and building the capacities of the relevant authorities.
Currently, the Ombudsman Office co-chairs the Protection Working Group of the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF). The RCF is a joint coordination body headed by the Government of Moldova and UNHCR that brings together humanitarian actors in the country – including UN agencies, and civil society, with the national government counterparts, local authorities, the private sector, refugee-led organisations, and others – to cooperate in maintaining and improving the response for refugees from Ukraine and host communities.
“The high performance of the technical assistance provided by UNHCR will definitely help us to carry out our activities on monitoring the observance of refugee’s rights in a prompt and efficient way at the central and local level”, said Ceslav Panico, Ombudsman of the Republic of Moldova.
Since March 2022, the Republic of Moldova has received nearly 660,527 arrivals from Ukraine and currently hosts over 94,000 Ukrainian refugees. The Government, civil society, and people of Moldova exhibited a remarkable response to the refugees’ situation. A substantial number of those who remain in Moldova are women, children, and elderly refugees, who often require particular support in accessing their rights in practice.
UNHCR and the Republic of Moldova’s Ombudsman Join Forces to Bolster Advocacy and Support for the Human Rights of Refugees and Host Communities
Chisinau, Moldova, 24 August 2022: – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency recently signed a new agreement with the Oficiul Avocatului Poprului [Office of the Ombudsman] for the Republic of Moldova to strengthen their collaboration in support of human rights for refugees and others under UNHCR’s mandate in the country. This agreement builds upon the Ombudsman’s existing engagement with issues of refugee protection, including rights monitoring, as well as training for relevant authorities.
“I am pleased to reinforce this important partnership with a key advocate for human rights in the Republic of Moldova,” said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR’s Country Representative. “UNHCR’s support, on top of the Ombudsman’s already notable expertise, will help further improve our collective understanding of human rights in this response and how we can respond together for both refugees from Ukraine and host communities.”
As a concrete sign of their deepening engagement with the refugee response, the Ombudsman´s office agreed to co-chair the Protection Working Group of the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF). The RCF is a joint coordination body headed by the Government of Moldova and UNHCR that brings together humanitarian actors in the country – including UN agencies, civil society, national government counterparts, local authorities, the private sector, refugee-led organizations, and others – to cooperate in maintaining and improving the response for refugees from Ukraine and host communities.
“Certainly, this collaborative partnership brings added value to the Office of the People’s Advocate to strengthen the protection and promotion capacities of refugees’ rights on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and I am glad that together UNHCR and the Office of the People’s Advocate can contribute to the protection and respect of refugees’ rights, including those who need international protection”, said Ceslav Panico, Ombudsman of the Republic of Moldova.
The Republic of Moldova has received nearly 536,000 arrivals from Ukraine and currently hosts over 92,000 Ukrainian refugees. A substantial number of those who remain in Moldova are women, children, and elderly refugees, who often require particular support in accessing their rights in practice.