The Bureau for Migration and Asylum of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Moldova received eight automobiles and a batch of equipment consisting of power generators, computers and office equipment for managing the flow of Ukrainian refugees. The donation was made by the Government of Italy and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), IPN reports.
Since the start of the refugee crises caused by the war in Ukraine, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Moldova has mobilized to ensure the efficient, safe and humane management of refugee inflows. The Ministry has made adjustments in its legislative framework to ensure border crossing points operate non-stop with maximum use of their infrastructure. Furthermore, the Government, with the support of UNHCR and the international community, takes firm steps towards adopting temporary protection measures for refugees. This will ensure legal and safe stay for displaced persons who look for safety in Moldova.
“The support offered by UNHCR to strengthen the capacities and improve the mobility of teams of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum generates first of all real solutions for safely and much more efficiently managing the migration flows. A second wave of refugees is possible at any moment and, if this comes, owing to the contribution of our partners, the Bureau for Migration and Asylum will be more consolidated and ready for action,” said Minister of Home Affairs Ana Revenco, being quoted in a press release.
The donations were handed over by the UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Moldova Francesca Bonelli and Italy’s Ambassador in Chisinau Lorenzo Tomassoni. The diplomat said that Italy so far offered over US$10 million for stimulating the social protection capacity of the Government of Moldova for the benefit of refugees and the local population.
“Since the start of this war, Italy has assisted Moldova both financially and by different equipment in managing the inflow of refugees from Ukraine,” stated Lorenzo Tomassoni. “I congratulate the people of Moldova on their hospitality and the Moldovan institutions, starting with the Border Police, on their sense of duty. We are very satisfied with our cooperation with UNHCR, which maximally uses the €10 million in financing. It goes not only to the vehicles donated today to the Ministry of Home Affairs or the monthly cash assistance offered to the over 80,000 refugees. I also refer to the crucial expertise that helps Moldova to swiftly model its legislation on temporary protection in accordance with the EU standards, contributing this way to the strategic objective of joining the EU,” stated the official.
UNHCR is bolstering its capacity in Moldova, extending international support to the refugees, and providing much needed humanitarian supplies through the government of the Republic of Moldova. Francesca Bonelli said that Italy is among the main UNHCR donors in the Republic of Moldova. “We are grateful for the generous support provided to the government and the people of Moldova, which have shown remarkable hospitality towards the refugees since the start of the crisis,” said the UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
By September 15, over 608,000 refugees from Ukraine entered Moldova. The majority have moved on to other European countries, with over 90,000 still generously hosted in the country.
