EU-funding helps thousands of refugees in Moldova meet basic needs and access vital protection services

More than 20,000 Ukrainian refugees in Moldova were able to cover essential needs thanks to European Union-funded cash assistance delivered by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, over the past year. Between April 2025 and March 2026, the programme also provided protection services to more than 5,000 refugees, helping families access critical support and safeguards.

At a time of rising living costs and funding constraints, cash assistance has remained a lifeline for the most vulnerable who have been struggling to cover basic needs. The programme continued to prioritize those most at risk, including households headed by older people, single parents, people with disabilities, and individuals with serious medical conditions.

The results are clear: monitoring data shows that more than half of supported households were able to avoid resorting to crisis-level coping strategies, underscoring the stabilizing impact of continued financial support.

Moreover, during the winter months, additional seasonal top-ups were provided to around 2,000 households, helping them meet heightened energy and heating needs.

The programme demonstrates how targeted assistance can deliver immediate relief while helping refugees maintain dignity and resilience in challenging conditions.

Since the onset of the full-scale war more than four years ago, Moldova has recorded over 2.4 million border crossings from Ukraine. As of March 2026, the Eastern European nation of 2.4 million people continues to host to approximately 140,000 refugees, most of them women, children, older people, and people with disabilities – groups that face heightened risks of socio-economic vulnerability.

Thanks to the European Union’s support, UNHCR was also able to provide vital protection services to refugees across Moldova alongside cash assistance. More than 8,000 people received guidance on how to access their rights, obtain or replace important documents, and connect with services such as healthcare, legal aid, and psychosocial support. Those assisted included around 4,300 people who spoke directly with counsellors at UNHCR-supported centres.

To ensure no one was left behind, UNHCR teams also carried out home visits for those unable to travel to the centres, including older people, persons with disabilities, and those with serious health conditions, ensuring they continued to receive the support they need.

“UNHCR would like to thank the EU for its vital contribution, which forms part of broader efforts within the 2025–2026 Regional Refugee Response Plan to strengthen Moldova’s protection environment. UNHCR remains committed to assisting the Government of Moldova in strengthening inclusive protection systems and ensuring that the most vulnerable refugees continue to receive the support they need” said Katja Saha, UNHCR Moldova representative a.i..

“Ukrainians affected by the war need support in many forms, including beyond Ukraine’s borders. The assistance provided by UNHCR in Moldova has once again proven vital for the most vulnerable Ukrainian refugees. The European Union continues to support them in Moldova, and our solidarity remains strong.” said Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid Office in Ukraine.