At the start of the war in Ukraine, when many Ukrainians began seeking refuge, including in the Republic of Moldova, most institutions and countries believed that Moldova, being a small and inexperienced nation, would not manage the large influx of refugees. However, it proved otherwise, said Alexandr Makuhin during the public debate, “A Small Country with a Big Heart. How Has the Situation of Ukrainian Refugees in the Republic of Moldova Changed in 2.5 Years?”.
Alexandr Makuhin, the permanent expert for the project “IPN News Agency for Social Cohesion and Pro-European Moldova”, highlighted that there are currently about 120,000 Ukrainian citizens in Moldova. For comparison, before the war began, Moldova had only 750 individuals with refugee status.
“At first, everyone worried that those arriving in Moldova would be left helpless because it is a small and inexperienced country. However, Moldova has managed. No one was left homeless,” Makuhin stated.
In response to this situation, legal frameworks were adjusted to simplify processes related to education, healthcare, and employment. These adjustments allow refugees in Moldova to integrate into society with full rights. This situation benefits not only the refugees but also Moldova, which faces a demographic crisis, Makuhin added.
Particular attention was given to simplifying asylum procedures, especially for men fleeing the war. Those seeking temporary protection or residence permits will now go through a faster and more straightforward process.
“Since many are fleeing the war, and the law has been amended, individuals can request temporary protection. Now the application process has been simplified. People who are here without documents or with insufficient documentation can take advantage of this opportunity to be temporarily protected without undergoing the lengthy previous process”, Makuhin noted further.
The public debate, “A Small Country with a Big Heart. How Has the Situation of Ukrainian Refugees in the Republic of Moldova Changed in 2.5 Years?”, is part of the project “IPN News Agency for Social Cohesion and Pro-European Moldova”, funded by IMS.
