UNDP expanding support for Moldova

Chisinau, 23 March /MOLDPRES/- UNDP scales up support in Moldova as early projections suggest thousands could be pushed into poverty by a protracted war.

In the event of a protracted war in Ukraine, socio-economic achievements in neighbouring Moldova could be jeopardized, according to early projections released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The data suggests that in Moldova, more than 30% of the population could be living below the poverty line, and 54% could be at high risk of falling into poverty within the next twelve months due to impacts of conflict in Ukraine and related crises.

“The economic fallout of the war in Ukraine will be felt across the region and millions of people are going to be in need of urgent support in the months to come,” said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

“In Moldova, work continues to scale up to meet the massive needs of those who have fled the violence, and to ensure support is also provided to host communities. But to prevent more humanitarian suffering, and the complete collapse of local economies, the war must end. People across the region urgently need peace to help prevent a freefall into poverty,” said Dima Al-Khatib.

To help identify the needs, UNDP will initiate an analysis of the impact of disrupted value chains on the small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in Moldova. UNDP is also conducting a rapid economic income simulation for Moldova of the potential impacts of the crisis at the households level, along with assessments for identifying the targeted support households need.

 photo: UNDP