Moldovan PM, mayors, government's representatives in territory discuss management of flow of Ukrainian refugees

Chisinau, 26 February /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita today convened an online working meeting for the consolidation and coordination of efforts of the central and local public administration authorities in the efficient management of the flow of refugees in Moldova, in the context of the war in Ukraine, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.    

Attending the meeting were, along with mayors and local public authorities (APL), the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) and representatives of the Territorial Offices of the State Chancellery, representatives of the parliament, leadership of the State Chancellery, Labour and Social Protection Ministry, Interior Ministry, decision-makers of the Migration and Asylum Bureau, as well as representatives of the social assistance departments. 

Natalia Gavrilita said that, at the 25 February meeting, the Commission for Emergency Situations (CSE) approved a string of measures of social protection and control of prices for more strictly needed products. At the same time, under the CSE decision, the stability of the price for electric energy was ensured till March 2023.     

„Only two days have passed since Ukrainian citizens have come to Moldova and we expect a bigger flow of refugees on the next period. At the same time, we have more people who want to help and it is important to coordinate all efforts to provide the needed assistance necessary for the Ukrainian citizens. I ask to facilitate at the maximum the connection between the citizens and the state’s institutions,’’ Natalia Gavrilita said.

Labour and Social Protection Minister Marcel Spatari said that decision-makers had worked out the regulation on the organization and work of the temporarily placement centre for refugees, thanked for the support received for giving its final touches. He noted that the document would be sent to all structures of social assistance from Moldova.     

„I am sure that the social assistance structures from districts will succeed to efficiently manage the situation and provide the services needed by the refugees. All flows of refugees are directed to the placement centre opened at Moldexpo. At the same time, another dozens of temporarily placement centres, which will be gradually activated, if needed, were identified,’’ the minister said.   

At the meeting, the mayors informed about the availabilities of accommodation identified in their settlements, put questions concerning the organized carriage of refugees from the border crossing points, informed the central authorities about the needs notified by the refugees and discussed the mechanism of distribution of goods donated and collected in Chisinau to the places where there are most refugees.     

The APL representatives were urged, for any difficulties dealing with the redirecting of the flow of migrants, to call the Green Line phone number 080001527, activated at the Call Centre of the Migration and Asylum Bureau and which works 24 hours and for issues regarding the creation of placement centres – to appeal to the local structures of social assistance, which will ensure the coordination of the actions with Labour and Social Protection Ministry.    

In the end of the meeting, the PM thanked the citizens, non-governmental organizations and public authorities for receptiveness, noting that the state’s institutions were mobilized to intervene and provide the assistance necessary.   

„I thank all those who get involved for solidarity and openness. I am sure that we will get out of this crisis even stronger,’’ Natalia Gavrilita added.

Photo: Government