The United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) created in Moldova 28 Safe Spaces for offering physical, emotional and social protection to Ukrainian refugees. Persons from local communities can also benefit from the services of these centers, IPN reports.

One of these spaces is situated in Chisinau, inside the Center of Young Naturalists of Botanica district. At this center, over 90 refugees from Ukraine benefit from the necessary attention. This place also became a temporary school for the young people enrolled at educational institutions in Ukraine, who study online. The young people who come here can go to theaters, museums, exhibition halls and swimming pools.

The Safe Spaces are situated in localities in northern, central and southern Moldova. Health specialists, social assistants, psychologists and volunteers work at these centers. The persons who choose to go there can benefit from psychological support, including services to combat gender-based violence. Sessions are organized to develop life habits, safe and non-stigmatizing counseling services on gender-based violence and recreational or sports activities.

“Over 64% of the refugees are girls and women and it is therefore very important to create a safe environment in which these would feel safe, would be treated with dignity and respect and would be able to  receive emotional support,” said Nigina Abaszada, UNFPA Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova.

Alexandru Iacub, secretary general of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, noted that over 108,000 refugees are now in Moldova and the authoress are trying, within possibilities, amid the energy and economic crisis, to offer all the possible social services to them.