Refugees in Moldova get debit cards under new UNHCR scheme

Moldova is the first country in Europe where the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has implemented the debit card scheme to streamline the distribution of its monthly financial support via Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Info-Prim Neo reports. “UNHCR is very pleased to launch this initiative in Moldova as it enables people to withdraw funds at nearby bankomats at their convenience rather than having to commute to a central distribution point to collect the allowance,” said Peter Kessler, UNHCR’s representative to Moldova. The new card scheme launched by UNHCR enables needy refugees, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection to receive convenient debit cards which they can use to withdraw the monthly support. Asylum seekers only receive social support for six months under the UN scheme while they await their decisions, but refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection may be assisted for longer periods if they are sick, are persons with disabilities or are elderly or unemployed. One of the most important benefits is that the debit cards will also give the recipients access to bank accounts, where they may eventually save money and earn interest.