The foreigners who seek protection in the Republic of Moldova have a high integration potential. They learn and speak the country’s language and work to earn their living. Karim Amalid came to Moldova from Iraq together with her family six years ago. The woman said she chose Moldova not because of the social benefits this could offer, but because there is no war here. The country is peaceful and the people are very friendly here.
In a news conference at IPN, Karim Amalid related that it was hard for them at the beginning as they didn’t know Romanian. After she learned the language, she started to communicate more with the people and to make friends. Now she studies at the university and has a scholarship. The teachers and her mates are always ready to lend her a hand and never discriminate against her. She does not intend to return to her country of origin because the situation there is dangerous, but for her family peace, serenity and education are the most important things and they found these in Moldova. Her daughter AAli Yuser is also supported and treated with respect at school.
According to the president of the Charity Center for Refugees Djavid Paknehad, these cases are models of success showing that a refugee is not necessarily poor and illiterate. The Center, in partnership with other partners, stage different integration activities, such as free Romanian language lessons (including online for refugees from all over the country) and trips to different regions to learn about the country’s history. The Center also provides temporary accommodation to refugees and assistance in finding a job.
Head of the National Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Republic of Moldova Traian Turcanu said the refugees should realize that they have not only rights, but also obligations. They should obey the country’s legislation and answer for their deeds, as the Moldovan citizens do.
According to the head of the Asylum and Integration Division of the Ministry of the Interior’s Migration and Asylum Bureau Iulian Popov, to obtain the status of refugee in Moldova, the applicant goes through a special procedure and each case is dealt with separately. The checks last for at most six months.
Since 1997 until now, Moldova received over 2,400 claims for asylum and offered protection to 1,041 persons. In 2001, Moldova joined the community of states that signed the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugee. Since then, over 1,800 persons found asylum temporarily or permanently on Moldova’s territory. Currently, in Moldova there are 404 refugees.
