UNHCR is grateful to the Government of Japan for their contribution for Ukrainian refugees in Romania

UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency in Romania welcomes a contribution of US$ 450,000 from the Government of Japan for providing counselling and various programmes dedicated to the socio-economic inclusion of Ukrainian refugees in Romania.

Japan’s generous contribution will strengthen the response capacity of UNHCR and its partners and enable them to carry out employment and socio-economic inclusion programmes for Ukrainian refugees in Romania. This would include offering personalized support for refugee jobseekers with tailored job coaching and counselling sessions to find a job in Romania. With this valuable support, refugees will be supported with socio-economic opportunities, contributing to their path towards self-reliance and economic self-sufficiency.

“I would like to thank the Government of Japan for its unwavering commitment and solidarity with refugees from Ukraine in Romania,” said UNHCR Representative in Romania, Pablo Zapata. “For every refugee, self-reliance is a path to dignity, hope and new beginnings. UNHCR is grateful to work alongside the Government of Japan in providing support and helping restore the dreams of refugees who found hope in Romania. We are grateful for Japan’s generosity, which allows Ukrainians to stand on their own and build a life of stability and purpose away from home”, added Pablo Zapata.

This contribution from Japan will also help refugees from Ukraine in accessing information on how to open a new business in Romania and write a business plan. The initiative will also include a business plan competition among participants that have an opportunity to be awarded a grant to help to turn their proposal into reality.

“We hope that this project, implemented in cooperation between the Government of Japan and UNHCR Romania, will reduce the vulnerabilities and difficulties in the lives of Ukrainian refugees in Romania and contribute to their self-reliance. The Government of Japan, in cooperation with the international community, will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide assistance to the people of Ukraine to rebuild their lives.”, said H.E. Mr. Takashi KATAE, Ambassador of Japan in Romania.

Since the start of the conflict, Romania has issued approximately 180.000 Temporary Protection permits to Ukrainian refugees, almost 70 per cent of whom are women and children. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, UNHCR, in coordination with Romanian authorities and partners provides integration services and support to refugees through the Livelihoods and Socio-Economic Inclusion Working Group, co-led by UNHCR.

UNHCR responds to the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Romania through a network of partners and the provision of services, including protection, legal assistance and inclusion services through its field offices in Suceava, Constanța, and Timișoara. UNHCR leads the Inter-Agency response, aligned with the 2025/2026 Refugee Reponse Plan for the Ukraine Situation.

Japan is one of the largest government donors, contributing with US$ 118.5 million to UNHCR in 2024, allowing for an effective and efficient response of UNHCR during the Ukraine emergency.

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For more details:

Gabriela Leu, spokesperson at UNHCR Romania, e-mail: leu@unhcr.org, phone number: +40 (722) 212 097