Over 2,400 Ukrainian refugees have obtained Moldovan citizenship since the start of the war
Over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently in Moldova, including over 45,000 children, according to the head of the General Inspectorate for Migration, Mihai Vodă.
He said that Ukrainian citizens feel safe in Moldova, as there are a number of protection mechanisms in place. Vodă also noted that over 24,000 people have applied to the authorities for temporary protection since the start of the war.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, hundreds of Ukrainian refugees have passed through Moldova. Over 2,400 have obtained citizenship of our country, about 7,000 have a temporary residence permit, and over 24,000 have applied to the authorities for temporary protection, said Mihai Vodă, head of the General Inspectorate for Migration.
“The distribution by region, obviously, the largest share is in Chisinau, followed by Cahul, Balti and certain districts in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine. Someone really wants to settle down here, to stay, to obtain the protection of our country. On the other hand, there are those who come for a certain period of time, they are in transit,” said Mihai Vodă.
The status of temporary protection ensures a better integration of Ukrainian refugees into our society, according to Oleg Palii, executive director of the Center for Lawyers’ Rights.
“First of all, they have the right to stay on the territory of the Republic of Moldova for the entire period of temporary protection. After that, adults have the right to be employed, and children have the right to be schooled. They also have the right to primary and emergency medical care. If we talk about the right to social assistance, then they have it at the same level as other citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” Oleg Palii said.
It is worth noting that since March 2023, people fleeing Ukraine can benefit from temporary protection, which ensures better integration into society, such as access to education, medical care, legal status, and other important services.
This is a significant development, as it shows that Moldova is committed to helping Ukrainian refugees. The country has provided a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to the war.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
