Republic of Moldova interim country strategic plan (2024–2026)

ICSP approved at EB February 2024

The war in Ukraine continues to have profound economic, social and systemic repercussions in the Republic Moldova. Since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, the Republic of Moldova has received over 974,151 forcibly displaced people and over 110,000 individuals (primarily women, children, people with disabilities and older people) remain in the country as of November 2023, making the Republic of Moldova the highest per capita host of refugees from Ukraine. The war and the subsequent rapid escalation in energy and food prices have disproportionately affected many vulnerable Moldovans, especially rural communities, older people, families with multiple children and people with disabilities. This has led to a significant increase in poverty rates, with nearly one third of the Moldovan population now living below the poverty line, compared with 25 percent prior to the war, weakening social cohesion between refugees and host communities.

Simultaneously, as it strives to achieve full membership of the European Union by 2030, the Republic of Moldova is undergoing rapid reforms in its economic, judicial, social, digital and environmental sectors in order to respond to the immediate crises and address the long-term development agenda. One key area of reform is the Republic of Moldova's national social protection system, which requires enhancements in its effectiveness, efficiency and degree of social inclusion.

WFP has been providing support for Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovans since March 2022. Under this new interim country strategic plan for 2024–2026, WFP will continue to meet the needs of refugees, host communities and vulnerable Moldovan households directly affected by the war. In collaboration with partners and guided by government counterparts, WFP aims to accelerate the transition from delivering emergency response to strengthening national social protection systems, extending their reach to support refugees and providing a safety net for impoverished Moldovans.

WFP will maintain its focus on areas where it has a comparative advantage, ensuring alignment with the regional refugee response plan and government priorities under social protection system reforms, while coordinating with and proactively leveraging the strengths of other United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, donors and international and local civil society groups.

Building on strategic partnerships with the Government and key stakeholders, WFP aims to further strengthen national capacities and systems by improving vulnerability profiling, optimizing beneficiary targeting and inclusion and implementing effective local service management to enable a smooth transition from humanitarian response to a responsible exit from the Republic of Moldova.

The interim country strategic plan supports a coordinated and efficient response by humanitarian and development actors, addressing the different needs, priorities and experiences of women, men, boys and girls and thereby contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17. Through the following three interconnected and mutually reinforcing outcomes, WFP will deliver assistance to refugees and Moldovan households most severely affected by the crises:

➢ Outcome 1: Crisis-affected populations in the Republic of Moldova, including refugees, are able to meet their food and other essential needs throughout the year.

➢ Outcome 2: The Government of the Republic of Moldova has enhanced capacities and programmes to support the essential needs of vulnerable populations by 2026.

➢ Outcome 3: Humanitarian and development actors in the Republic of Moldova have improved capacities to prepare for and respond to emergencies throughout the yea