In UNHCR experience, we have not had as much cooperation and openness as in Moldova - UN High Commissioner for Refugees says

Chisinau, March 4 / MOLDPRES /- UN High Commissioner for Refugees will provide direct financial support to refugees from Ukraine on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. In turn, the authorities in our country have provided the necessary conditions for people to receive transfers directly on cards, open at local banks. The decision was announced today during a meeting of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

Filippo Grandi noted that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the authorities and the people of the Republic of Moldova have shown an unprecedented mobilization to provide assistance to refugees in Ukraine. At the same time, in terms of territory and population, Moldova ranks first in Europe in terms of the number of Ukrainian refugees it hosts.

"In all the UNHCR experience, we have not had so much cooperation from the Government and so much openness to solve the problems related to the large flow of refugees," said Filippo Grandi.

Natalia Gavrilița mentioned that the Government has focused, even from the first hours since the beginning of the war, on the institutionalization of effective mechanisms through which refugees affected by the consequences of the war in Ukraine can benefit from aid.

"We count on the support of our external partners in overcoming this challenge. We do our best to help the citizens of Ukraine, who are in the Republic of Moldova, even though our resources are limited. For now, there is enough space for accommodation, but as the wave of refugees grows, we need support in managing human transit and financial assistance to overcome the humanitarian and economic consequences of the war in the neighboring country, "said Natalia Gavrilița.

High Commissioner Filippo Grandi told the prime minister that he plans to expand the UNHCR team in Moldova to increase support for the government in managing the humanitarian crisis.

The possibility of creating humanitarian corridors to EU countries that are prepared to receive refugees from Ukraine, especially the most vulnerable categories - people with special needs, children with disabilities or orphans, was also discussed.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, over 136,380 citizens have entered the territory of our country, of which about 69 thousand have left the Republic of Moldova through the border segment with Romania. At the same time, another 61,570 Ukrainian citizens, including 23,179 minors, remain in the country. Of these, 1,759 applied for asylum.

Photo: Government