Japan Provides Crucial Support for Refugees from Ukraine in Moldova

Amidst the largest outflow of refugees in Europe in decades, Japan has generously responded to

UNHCR’s call for assistance, with two separate contributions to support Ukrainian refugees entering

the Republic of Moldova. The first, signed on 11 March 2022, will ensure that vulnerable refugees

from Ukraine have access to documentation, legal assistance, comprehensive access to services to

mitigate the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, and child protection services. Crucially, this

support will also enable UNHCR to provide refugees with core relief items – the basic essentials that

families need, including blankets, kitchen sets, jerry-cans, plastic sheeting, and solar lamps.

This support comes as part of a vital contribution to UNHCR of USD 25.6 million provided by the people

of Japan for Ukraine and its neighbouring countries that have so generously opened their doors to

Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.

“UNHCR is thankful to the people and government of Japan for their generous support to refugees

from Ukraine", said Francesca Bonelli, the UNHCR Representative in Moldova. "We shall make sure

the money goes to meeting the basic needs of the refugees who fled with very little belongings, leaving

everything else behind.

The people of Japan also provided an additional USD 14.5 million to UNHCR on 5 April 2022. In

Moldova, this funding will enable UNHCR to build the capacity of service providers, support people

with specific needs and provide legal assistance for refugees from Ukraine. This will also help to

support and equip Moldova’s Refugee Accommodation Centres which provide refugees with a place

to stay whilst they determine their longer-term options.

As of 5 April, Moldova has welcomed more than 396,000 refugees from Ukraine, an astounding display

of solidarity from a country of 3 million people. More than 4.2 million have now fled Ukraine, with a

further 6.5 million internally displaced – alarming numbers that continue to climb as the crisis

continues. UNHCR is appealing for USD 510 million to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of the

4.5 million people affected by this emergency.