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4 Sep 2023 Chişinău 4th September 2023 UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warmly welcomes the generous contribution of EUR 1,500,000 from the Austrian Development Agency and EUR 1,071,415 from the State Secretariat for Migration of Switzerland. These funds will enable UNHCR to continue supporting the Government of Moldova in ensuring access to temporary protection and enhancing the self-reliance and integration of refugees while also supporting local communities. This contribution will help to build upon UNHCR's support to the Government of the Republic of Moldova in protecting the rights of refugees through providing guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building for national authorities. It will further enable the Moldovan authorities and UNHCR to extend outreach and information sharing with refugees, to ensure they secure legal status in Moldova and can access the opportunities available in the country. It will also go towards building a more inclusive work environment by supporting the Moldovan National Agency for Employment to provide refugees with vocational training to enhance their employability in local labour markets. UNHCR and local partners will continue supporting employment facilitation, Romanian language courses, and day-care centres for children whose parents are working or studying. "This gesture of solidarity showcases the impactful difference that can be made through international collaboration. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Austria and Switzerland for their firm support in aiding both refugees and the Moldovan community that welcomes them. This contribution will help to accelerate the integration of refugees and strengthen the capacity of local services to benefit both communities," said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR Representative in Moldova. Moldova has received more refugee arrivals from Ukraine per capita than any other country worldwide, one for every three Moldovan citizens, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Over 109,000 refugees from Ukraine now remain in Moldova, the vast majority of whom are women, children, and older people. Further information for journalists UNHCR in Moldova has been supporting government-led efforts to provide protection and support to refugees since establishing a presence in the country in 1997. UNHCR significantly expanded its operations in the country in late February 2022 in response to the arrival of refugees from Ukraine and joined the Government of Moldova in co-leading the interagency humanitarian response aligned with the Regional Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukraine Situation.
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