Chisinau. With the vital support of the European Union, UNHCR continues to provide comprehensive assistance to the most vulnerable refugees from Ukraine and at-risk Moldovans. This assistance ensures they can meet their basic needs—particularly during the challenging winter months—with dignity, while also contributing to the local economy.
Key supported activities include targeted cash assistance for refugees to address urgent winter-related needs, such as purchasing warm clothing, heating fuel, or paying for utilities, and the transfer of essential non-food items like blankets, thermal clothing, and heaters to refugees and vulnerable Moldovans to mitigate the harsh effects of winter. These efforts align with government assistance programmes for vulnerable populations and include the handover of contingency stocks of non-food items, such as tents and emergency supplies, to Moldovan authorities, strengthening the country’s emergency preparedness. By ensuring families have the resources to stay warm and safe during winter, these actions aim to address immediate needs, support social inclusion, and enhance resilience during the cold season.
This contribution supplements the €22.9 million that the European Union has allocated to UNHCR in Moldova since 2023. It is part of a comprehensive assistance initiative led by the European Union’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, aimed at strengthening UNHCR’s efforts to provide essential humanitarian aid to refugees in Moldova. This includes cash assistance for refugees, protection services, and enhancing Moldova’s national protection capacities, particularly at border crossing points where refugees from Ukraine seek safety.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now nearly three years, over 1.8 million refugees have crossed into Moldova. As of November 2024, the country hosts approximately 127,000 refugees. Efforts to support them are shifting towards sustainable protection and integration into national programmes. Refugees in the country face significant barriers, including limited access to healthcare, employment, and accommodation, as well as disruptions to their children’s education. For instance, many families struggle to afford rental housing or find schools with adequate language support for their children. These difficulties are further exacerbated by language barriers and the psychological toll of displacement, making integration especially challenging for the most vulnerable groups.
The European Union’s generous funding enables UNHCR to provide targeted support to both refugees and host communities in Moldova. This includes building the government’s capacity to enhance protection and services for refugees at the national level, as well as delivering targeted cash assistance to meet immediate needs. By funding these initiatives, the EU not only addresses urgent priorities but also supports long-term stability for families, ensuring refugees have access to territory, asylum, and safeguarding mechanisms. Additionally, the funding helps ease pressures on local communities and bolsters resilience, allowing Moldova to navigate both current and future challenges while enhancing refugees’ well-being and their ability to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
Since the onset of the Ukraine refugee crisis in Moldova, EU funding has allowed UNHCR to assist over 135,000 refugees through vital cash assistance, empowering them to meet their most urgent needs safely and with dignity. UNHCR extends its deepest gratitude to the European Union for its significant contributions and unwavering commitment to protecting and supporting those most in need.
For media inquiries
in the Republic of Moldova:
Monica Vazquez vazquezm@unhcr.org
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