Moldovan families hosting refugees from Ukraine will benefit from a lump-sum financial aid. Monthly financial support will also be provided for refugees, with priority given to people with disabilities, the elderly and families with many children. The announcement was made on Friday during a press conference held by Social Protection Minister Marcel Spatari, together with representatives of the World Food Program and UNHCR.
Francesca Bonelli, interim Representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Moldova, said that the people of Moldova have shown extraordinary solidarity in receiving a large number of refugees. Most are welcomed in homes and fewer remain in placement centers. Refugees will be offered aid, and priority will be given to families with children, the elderly and those with disabilities. Each refugee will receive 2,200 lei per month.
Cesar V. Arroyos, head of the World Food Program Office in Moldova, noted that Ukrainians are looking for shelter in Moldova and they do not have much belongings with them and no accommodation plan. The local authorities help them by arranging centers, providing meals, and thus bearing financial costs. But because a large part of the refugees are hosted in families, it was decided to grant a single payment of 3,500 lei to those who decided to open the doors of their homes for refugees. The money will be spent as the family sees fit - on food, paying bills, fuel or health care.
The eligibility criteria and instructions for application will be posted on a public website. Mobile teams will also be involved in the application process. It is estimated that the processing of applications and the admission of eligible beneficiaries will take place within a few weeks.
Minister Marcel Spatari stated that from the donations made on the accounts opened by the authorities, an additional 1.8 million lei was allocated for the local authorities that created temporary placement centers for refugees. In total, 23.2 million lei have been allocated for all centers so far. A total of 111 temporary placement centers were set up, 14 of which are no longer operating.
