Speaker, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director approached important issues

Chisinau, Oct. 13 /MOLDPRES/- Speaker Igor Grosu had a meeting today with Ib Petersen, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and discussed the crises caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, in particular that of refugees, the parliament's commmunication and public relations department has reported.

According to the latest statistics, about 80 thousand Ukrainian citizens are settled on the territory of Moldova, the majority of them being women and minors. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February, the authorities in Chisinau have made joint efforts and mobilized all resources to shelter and provide protection to people taking refuge.

"In the near future we can expect a new flow of refugees due to Russia's latest unprecedented cruise missile and kamikaze drone attacks on office buildings, residential blocks, and other civilian critical infrastructure targets, killing and injuring dozens of people, with hundreds of thousands more without electricity and drinking water. We saw how for two days, Ukraine was left without 30% of its electricity production capacity and stopped all electricity exports", he said.

The speaker said that the country was directly affected, remaining overnight without almost a third of its energy needs. "It is a challenge for us to strengthen energy security and accessibility of energy resources. We will get through the coming winter, however hard it will be, because we have many friends. An additional proof is yesterday's announcement by the Bucharest Government that Romania will provide us with the necessary 30% that we can no longer receive from Ukraine", said Igor Grosu.

The official appreciated the assistance offered by UNFPA over time to the Republic of Moldova and thanked for this year's investments in the reproductive health system through the purchase of modern equipment for maternity hospitals, in the development of prevention and protection services against gender-based violence, including sexual violence, and the involvement of young Moldovans and Ukrainians in social cohesion programs.

Photo: Parliament