Moldova: Supporting the Moldovan authorities delivering lifesaving assistance
Cash-assistance aligned with national system for social protection
The war in Ukraine has also impacted vulnerable Moldovans, who have experienced energy and food prices increase. To respond to growing needs, the World Food Programme has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in the Republic of Moldova and other UN agencies to provide some 150 000 people struggling to cover their basic needs with cash assistance. Working with and through the national social protection system, coverage of poor families increased. Trusted by the community, and present in every village, the Moldovan Postal Service network was leveraged to reach people most in need.
Families used assistance to purchase food, pay utility bills, and access much needed health services. Social cohesion is established when all people impacted by the multidimensional effects of the war, refugee, and host community alike, are supported.
Preparing for efficient disaster management
Reacting fast in sudden onset emergencies is essential for efficient disaster management. To prepare for worst case scenarios, an extensive field simulation on how to counter consequences of earthquakes, catastrophic floods, landslides, production damage and epizootics was organized by the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP) with the participation of several partners. Such practical training helps develop practical skills and management of exceptional situations. In addition, it supports the planning in case of and conduct in emergencies.
In the scenario, officials practiced responding to a leakage of hazardous substances following a natural disaster, using a Mobile Chemical Detection Laboratory - a donation from Norway and WHO Moldova. The mobile laboratory allows specialists to rapidly locate the leakage, thus limiting the spread of toxic substances into the environment. It also helps identify highly toxic substances, to take air, soil, and chemical samples from the polluted area, as well as to assess and monitor the risk and determine the degree of pollution, and to develop protective measures for the intervention teams. Further, the laboratory can support in issuing recommendations for decontamination works.
Capacity strengthening of prehospital emergency care providers
The Red Cross movement has supported prehospital emergency care services in the Republic of Moldova including the Transnistria region through training of the ambulance service health staff and emergency care providers, donation of training equipment, and infrastructure improvement. Such collaboration with the authorities and other stakeholders is essential to ensure successful implementation of the planned training programs and support initiatives.
Programme support working with Moldovan authorities
It would have been challenging for the Republic of Moldova to host and provide the refugees who have arrived as a result of the war in Ukraine services without external assistance.
“Any country would need international cooperation and external support to ensure a protective environment and dignified conditions of accommodation and other daily needs of people who fled the war”, said Giaglis, who was deployed by NORCAP as an EU Programmes expert.
Giaglis worked with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moldova, where his role was to identify gaps in the country’s legislation on migration and asylum and contribute to making sure the country meets international standards and criteria.
“The speed at which the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also other competent authorities, are adapting to international standards and covering the identified gaps is something to be proud of”, says Giaglis.
NORCAP’s support to local and national authorities in Moldova contributes to bringing duty bearers and rights holders closer to each other. In addition, it promotes a more efficient, effective, and inclusive approach to durable solutions for those in need.