France supports refugees and hosting families in Moldova through the World Food Programme
CHIȘINĂU/Moldova – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a €3 million contribution from France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to support Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host families through cash-based transfers until the end of 2023.
“This incredibly timely contribution will help us provide much-needed support for both Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host communities,“ said WFP Representative in Moldova Katrien Ghoos. “The government and citizens of Moldova have generously welcomed refugees, but the influx added pressure to already challenging economic circumstances brought about by the global rise in food and energy prices.”
France’s Ambassador to Moldova Paul Graham, who visited a vocational school in Criuleni where more than 90 Ukrainian refugees are housed, said his government’s contribution was a sign of France’s long-term commitment to Moldova and its stability.
“The funds allocated for WFP Moldova are part of our commitment to ensuring the social cohesion between Moldovans and Ukrainians residing in Moldova,” said Ambassador Graham.
In March 2022, following the Ukraine war, which resulted in over 300,000 refugees seeking refuge in Moldova, the World Food Programme established an office in the country.
WFP continues to provide three hot meals per day to refugees residing in Refugee Accommodation Centres (RAC) in Moldova. WFP delivered nearly 2 million hot meals to refugees from Ukraine since starting operations in March 2022. Additionally, WFP provided cash support to a total of 13,969 Moldovan families who are hosting refugees, and the figure is expected to increase, as the programme is still ongoing; additionally, WFP provided support to an extra 56,000 vulnerable Moldovan households through cash-back transfers under the Emergency Financial Aid programme.
“None of the results that WFP team in Moldova has achieved so far would have been possible without the support of our international partners,” said Ghoos.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.