EU and Team Europe continue to support Ukrainian refugees in Moldova 

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, IOM Moldova, with the financial support of the European Union (DG-NEAR), assisted Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war through a series of actions aimed at ensuring a safe and dignified migration flow in all phases of humanitarian emergency support. 

From the beginning of November to 15 December, 91 Ukrainian refugees have been transferred from Moldova to Germany (4), Austria (12), France (18), Norway (31), Switzerland (7), Spain (5), Netherlands (2), Ireland (10), Italy (2), bringing it to a total of 1,997 since the start of the intervention in February 2023. To all those registered as beneficiaries on Resettlement and Movement Management (RMM), IOM provided consular support and counselling, accommodation, ground transportation and arrival orientation assistance. When needed, Ukrainian refugees are provided with food and temporary pre-departure accommodation in Chişinău.  

Among the services provided, health checks before embarkation for a rapid medical-health assessment on suitability for travel and to avoid any type of risk to the health of passengers on the aircraft, during transit or upon arrival in the country of resettlement.

As of November 2022, IOM has provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) assistance and carried out pre-departure health checks to 121 Ukrainian refugees and third-country nationals. Among these, more than 32 were found with disabilities and serious health conditions. For them, specific medical advice and health stabilisation treatment were required before departure and 10 medical supplies have been allocated. 3 serious cases on stretchers were transported to the EU.

In light of the unfolding humanitarian crisis, the European Union and International Organisation for Migration in Moldova expanded their support to national border and migration authorities in their efforts to manage appropriately the massive cross-border inflows. IOM contributed to the enhancement of the Bureau of Migration and Asylum’s (BMA) mobility and identity verification capabilities by handing over 21 identity document readers and two minibuses. The donated items represent one more significant support to boost the BMA’s capacity to provide direct services and assistance to increased volumes of migrants and refugees arriving at the border, in a manner that is orderly and compliant with the national legal framework, while adhering to protection principles and international human rights standards. 

On the occasion of the handover that took place on November 4 (video), the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Ana Revenco, stated that “The Republic of Moldova is facing several crises, and the situation in the region continues to be volatile. The employees of the MIA subdivisions are on the front line, and in order to face the challenges, we must make a common front with external partners. The donation received today will certainly contribute to the efficiency of MIA services”.  The EU Ambassador to Moldova, Jānis Mažeiks, reiterated that “Passenger vans and passport readers that we provide today will help MIA and Bureau for Asylum and Migration to provide essential services and assistance to the refugees entering into the Republic of Moldova. This delivery is part of a larger regional programme funded by the European Union to support migration management. The EU response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was timely and rapid. The EU allocated 15 million EUR for this programme to enable the voluntary transfer of persons in a safe and dignified manner, medical and psychological support and social protection, as well as border management”. 

The comprehensiveness of IOM-EU support is also enhanced by the provision of expertise and deployment of consultants to support BMA’s operational activities, hotline, and strategic processes, especially those related to expediting the implementation of immigration and regularization procedures.“Through this material support, augmented with other ongoing policy development support activities and training delivery, the International Organisation for Migration in Moldova aims to significantly contribute to national efforts towards strengthening the migration governance architecture in the country”, said Lars Johan Lönnback, Chief of Mission of IOM Moldova. The equipment and vehicles, in a total amount of €125,000 and the latest donation in order of time of 12 patrol vehicles for the Border Police to enhance border security and swift reaction to border incidents (photo), are part of the generous assistance of the European Union in the framework of the project “Supporting Protection, Transit, Voluntary and Informed Return and Reintegration of Eastern Partnership Citizens and Third Country Nationals affected by the conflict in Ukraine project”.