Delivering food and supplies to Ukrainian refugees in Moldova as needs remain high

Approximately 120,000 Ukrainian refugees are now living in neighboring Moldova. As the war continues and prospects dim for refugees to return home any time soon, the Moldovan government is implementing policies to encourage Ukrainians to integrate into Moldovan society.

Part of this policy has included consolidating the “Refugee Accommodation Centers” (RACs) where evacuees have been living. By the end of last year, the number of RACs was reduced from 136 to just 44. Newly arrived refugees and those who were forced out of their temporary housing have been encouraged to seek shelter with friends and family or to find rental housing. While refugees can receive rent subsidies from the Moldovan government provided that they work, many are unable or are struggling to make ends meet with part-time employment. The need for support in the form of food and everyday essential items remains high.

Over the past two months, Peace Winds has been collaborating with Moldova for Peace, the country’s largest civil action platform which was jointly established by several Moldovan NGOs to support the people of Ukraine. Our teams are working together to distribute supplies at Moldova Film, the largest distribution center in Chișinău (so named because it used to be a film studio). So far, Peace Winds and Moldova for Peace have distributed nearly 5,000 food kits.

Natalia (left) and Peace Winds employee

More than two years have passed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and many international aid organizations have withdrawn support from Moldova. Natalia, a staff member with Moldova for Peace, says that there is always a shortage of food, and recently, she and her teammates reached a point where they had nothing to distribute. Natalia also says that in addition to food, there is an ongoing need for daily essentials such as diapers. Most of the refugees living in Moldova are women, children, and the elderly, so there is a constant shortage of diapers not only for children but for adults as well. 

At Moldova Film, refugees themselves even participate in the support activities as staff members. They come from many different backgrounds and hometowns; some are from Odessa, which is relatively close to Chișinău, while others come from areas further east that are now under Russian control. Despite coming from different walks of life, Ukrainian refugees have built a sense of community with one another, and they enjoy working together at Moldova Film. On one Saturday in mid-March, Ukrainian staff and Moldovan volunteers packed more than 1,000 food kits as part of Peace Winds supported activities.

Contents of food kit

Ukrainian refugee families wait in line for food kits

While attention is focused on aid and reconstruction for Ukraine, it is easy to forget the struggles of Ukrainians living outside of Ukraine, as well as the burden on the people and communities who support them. This is especially true for Moldova, which is the poorest European country; Moldova faces many of its own challenges while also accepting displaced people from outside its borders.

Peace Winds will continue working with Moldovans and Ukrainians to support the people of both countries. This program is being carried out in collaboration with Moldova for Peace with funding from Japan Platform and contributions from our generous donors. We are grateful for your continued support.

If you would like to make a donation in support of Peace Winds’ activities for Ukrainian refugees, please visit our donation page and choose “Ukraine” in the dropdown menu.

Food kits waiting to be distributed