Politics

31 July, 2026 / 10:00

/ 19 April, 2025

Moldovan head of state delivers message on Famine of 1946 – 1947

President Maia Sandu has conveyed a message in the context of commemorating the victims of the famine caused by the Soviet regime in 1946 – 1947.

"Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents had even their last grain of wheat taken from their attics, leaving them to die of hunger. This was a deliberate gesture, a barbaric way of subjugating the population," the head of state said.

The Moldovan president noted that, for decades, this tragedy had been passed over in silence. But collective memory cannot be erased and the truth must be told, Maia Sandu stressed.

"We cannot build a just future without acknowledging the injustices of the past and without keeping alive the memory of the hundreds of thousands of people killed by this crime. Hunger did not ask what language its victims spoke or what blood they carried," said the head of state.

The president emphasized that the country’s duty, as a united society, was to defend the truth, stand on the side of good and build the future with dignity, in peace, in a Moldova where such horrors will never again be possible.

According to the National Archives Agency, the famine of 1946-1947 was one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes which hit the current territory of the Republic of Moldova in the 20th century. It was not an unavoidable natural disaster, but a tragedy exacerbated by the authoritarian and repressive policies of the Soviet regime. According to data provided by the National Archives Agency, in just a few months, more than123,000 people died of hunger, accounting for about 5 per cent of the population of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic. Proportionally, Soviet Moldova was the worst hit region in the entire Soviet Union, with a death rate ten times higher than in Russia and five times higher than in Ukraine.

Comment

Latest News

Emilia Cebotari appointed deputy secretary general of Moldova's government

Moldova marks 32 years since adoption of Constitution; Moldovan president described Supreme Law as legal, moral benchmark that guarantees citizens' rights, protects dignity

Eurasia organization included in Registry of Extremist Organizations of Moldova

Protest held outside Moldovan parliament building against higher gas tariffs; parliament speaker demands solutions from opposition

Peculiarities of elections to People’s Assembly of Gagauzia to be included in Electoral Code

Moldovan parliament speaker says observance of Supreme Law means respect for democracy, citizens’ rights

Moldovan parliament speaker says elections for People’s Assembly of Gagauzia scheduled for November 15, 2026

Amendments to Moldova's Electoral Code on elections in Gagauzia consulted with representatives of People’s Assembly

Moldovan MPs to meet for final plenary meetings of spring session on July 29, 30; agenda includes 15 EU‑labelled draft laws

New development projects in Moldova with Turkey’s support; negotiation of cooperation protocol approved

Moldovan president condemns violations of Romanian airspace by Russian drones

VIDEO // Local public administration reform advances In Moldova; government's secretary general says another 165 mayoralties adopt final decisions on voluntary amalgamation

Farmers' Force Association of Moldova proposes Alexandru Slusari to head Agriculture Ministry; government's reaction

DOC // Moldovan president signs decree on resignation of agriculture minister from office

Moldovan parliament obliges gas supplier from Transnistrian region to create strategic reserves

Moldova's Electoral Code amended in first reading: new rules for elections in Gagauzia

Moldova's justice aligns with European standards: overview of achievements on path to EU accession

Moldovan PM meets members of Club of Bessarabian Businesspeople in Bucharest

Strengthening of Moldovan-Romanian partnership discussed with leaders of Romania's parliament

Moldovan parliament ratifies, in first reading, Council of Europe Convention on Co-Production of Audiovisual Works in Form of Series

Moldova to receive 350,000-dollar grant for implementing Register of Movable Collateral system

Expert comments on stakes of Moldovan PM's first visit to Bucharest

Moldovan president has farewell meeting with Head of Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova

Strategic transport infrastructure projects to benefit from faster authorization procedures in Moldova

Benefits for consumers in Moldova: smart meters' data to be read remotely, processed automatically

Persons under criminal investigation to benefit from enhanced procedural safeguards, harmonized with EU standards

Moldovan PM has discussion with Irish counterpart

Moldova’s agricultural sector to benefit from new 150-million-euros financing programme

Former head of Savings Bank of Moldova sentenced to 13 years in prison

ARMENPRESS: Armenia extradites fugitive wanted by Moldova

See more