UNHCR is supporting over 20,000 refugees from Ukraine in Moldova as part of the Refugee Coordination Forum’s winterisation activities from November 2024 to March 2025. These efforts include providing cash assistance to some 15,500 vulnerable refugee households to cover their most basic needs such as heating, utilities, and food.
© UNHCR/ Andrei Cazacu
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the generous contribution of EUR 850,000 from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) to support the protection of refugees from Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova. This contribution underscores Spain’s steadfast commitment to supporting displaced populations and promoting resilience during the harsh winter months.
With this funding, among contributions from other donors, UNHCR is supporting over 20,000 refugees from Ukraine in Moldova as part of the Refugee Coordination Forum’s winterisation activities from November 2024 to March 2025. These efforts include providing cash assistance to some 15,500 vulnerable refugee households to cover their most basic needs such as heating, utilities, and food.
To address the increased demand for information, the Refugee Response Helpline (Greenline) will ensure that approximately 20,000 refugees are informed about available services. Infrastructure upgrades in 30 community spaces and refugee accommodation centres will improve energy efficiency and ensure continuous operation during the cold season, fostering resilience in partnership with local public authorities.
Additionally, UNHCR will distribute winter-specific items, including high-thermal blankets, bed linen, and kitchen sets, to more than 6,000 vulnerable refugees and members of the host community, helping them endure the harsh winter months.
Spain has consistently demonstrated its dedication to humanitarian causes globally, including within Moldova, where it has played a crucial role in addressing the needs of refugees and their hosts. This partnership has been pivotal in ensuring that no one is left behind during these challenging times.
Since the escalation of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova has welcomed more than 1.9 million refugees. Co-leading the humanitarian response alongside the Government of Moldova, UNHCR has been able to continue providing life-saving assistance, protection services, and long-term solutions to refugees thanks to the instrumental contribution of Spain, reinforcing shared values of dignity and inclusion.
Note to Editors:
UNHCR has supported Moldova’s refugee response since establishing a presence in 1997. The agency expanded operations significantly in February 2022 to address the influx of refugees from Ukraine, co-leading the interagency humanitarian response alongside the Moldovan government under the Regional Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation.
Key figures about the refugee response in the Republic of Moldova
Since February 2022, with the support of Spain and other donors, UNHCR has achieved significant milestones in Moldova:
These efforts are implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Moldova, UN agencies, international and national partners, and with invaluable contributions from refugees themselves.
UNHCR remains committed to advancing shared objectives of inclusion, resilience, and community cohesion in Moldova, ensuring refugees and host communities alike are supported.
For media inquiries:
In the Republic of Moldova:
Monica Vazquez vazquezm@unhcr.org
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