Dozens of refugees marked the World Refugee Day in downtown Chisinau. While some of them complained about the problems they face, others thanked the Government of Moldova for offering them protection and asylum. According to the head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Moldova Octavian Mohorea, the number of persons who seek asylum in Moldova has increased and most of these people come from Syria or Afghanistan.

“The refugees started to come to Moldova in the 1990s. Currently, there are many applications from Syrian people. Usually, most of those who choose our country studied in Moldova or have relatives here. Initially, they come on short visits, but then seek asylum. There are yet more difficult cases. When the people do not manage to perform the legal procedures because of armed conflicts, they can seek asylum directly at the border with Moldova,” stated Octavian Mohorea.

On the occasion of the World Refugee Day, those who today passed near the Triumphal Arch in Chisinau were asked to play a game. They were to imagine that they covered the path of a refugee and were to reach the destination safely. Volunteers distributed leaflets with information about the refugees.

“The refugees can become citizens of Moldova after living here for eight years, but if they marry Moldovans this period is three years,” said Octavian Mohorea.

Ecaterina Silvestru, head of the Migration and Asylum Bureau’s Refugees Division, said the refugees in Moldova have almost the same rights as the Moldovans, but they also have obligations. “The persons who apply for asylum have six months at the disposal to integrate into society. In this period, they have to learn the language, find an occupation and prove that they can financially ensure the family,” she added.

The refugees who came in the center of Chisinau said they chose Moldova because it is a quiet country. Some of them found the partner here, while others graduated from education institutions. The refugees were dressed in the national consumes of their countries or origin and were photographed with passersby.

In Moldova, there are over 200 refugees. At world level, the refugees total more than 45 million.