Attachments
Overview
Key messages
- In March 2024, WFP initiated the implementation of its Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP) 2024-2026. While the ICSP maintains objectives similar to the Transitional-ICSP, its strategic orientation is notably different, with a stronger emphasis on transition to local delivery mechanisms.
- WFP continues to contribute to social cohesion and inclusion through the provision of unconditional assistance to vulnerable population groups while working towards a responsible exit and transition.
- Supported by generous donor contributions, WFP provided emergency cash and voucher transfers in 2024, assisting 94,506 crisis-affected people, including refugees and host populations.
Working towards a responsible exit
The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to have a significant impact on the Republic of Moldova on both Ukrainian refugees and the Moldovan population. The Moldovan Government has been leading the refugee crisis response, granting Temporary Protection Status to Ukrainian refugees since 2023. This status includes the provision of accommodation, healthcare, education for children as well as social assistance services as needed. While Moldova continues to host the highest number per capita of refugees from Ukraine (4.8 percent of the population), support from relevant international stakeholders, including WFP, contributes to sharing the financial weight in addressing the basic needs of refugees.
In addition to the refugee crisis, spillover from the war in Ukraine, includes uncertainties around energy supply as well as long-lasting economic impacts linked to import/export disruptions. These have a disproportionate effect on already vulnerable host population groups. During the reporting period (March-December 2024), Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovans remained in need of humanitarian assistance to secure basic needs and food security.
The Moldovan Government continued to provide social protection to its population, especially by supporting the needs of the most vulnerable groups. WFP’s activities complemented this assistance while contributing to the Government’s commitment to enhance access and quality of social protection.
During the reporting period, WFP initiated the implementation of its Interim Country Strategic Plan (ICSP) 2024-2026. The plan is aligned with the Republic of Moldova - United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027 and supports the implementation of the inter-agency efforts presented in the 2024 Moldova Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The capacity enhancement of the Government contributes to a reinforced, more transparent, and accountable structural system, aligned with Moldovan social sectoral reforms, especially with regard to social assistance. The aims include fair access to social services of quality (RESTART reform), strengthening of the Food Security Strategy of Moldova for 2023-2030, as well as the furtherance of Moldova’s European Union accession aspirations.
Moldova's commitment to the 2030 Agenda is articulated in its national development strategy (Moldova 2030), and recent achievements are highlighted in the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) progress report. Through its activities, WFP contributes to SDG 2 - Zero Hunger; and SDG 17 - Partnerships to help achieve these goals.
In close coordination and partnership with the Moldovan Government as well as with relevant United Nations (UN) agencies, WFP Moldova continues to contribute to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus, implementing a diversified range of activities channelled through existing national structures and systems. WFP directly supports the Government in responding to the effects of the Ukraine war on Moldova, with a unique and balanced programme for the country-wide distribution of assistance for Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable Moldovans, contributing to socio-economical inclusion and supporting enhanced social cohesion. As presented in the ICSP, and in accordance with other inter-agencies strategic vision, including the upcoming 2025-2026 RRP plan, WFP increased its support for the strengthening of the Moldovan Government's social protection structure through the promotion of sustainability for long-lasting impact.
The WFP's main Government interlocutor in Moldova is the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP). WFP’s activities conducted during the reporting period were aligned with Strategic Outcome 1, according to which targeted refugees and other crisis-affected populations receive unconditional assistance to meet their essential needs, including food; and Strategic Outcome 2, which provides Government benefits from an enhanced shock-responsive social protection system to the most vulnerable populations and where vulnerable populations, including social assistance cash top-ups that help them to meet food and other essential needs. While WFP stands ready to support the Government as well as humanitarian and development partners in providing on-demand services to support vulnerable populations (SO 3), no requests were received during the reporting period.
Under SO1, WFP continued to provide emergency cash and voucher transfers to crisis-affected populations, including refugees and the host population. Assistance included border snacks and hot meals distribution for 4,705 Ukrainian refugees arriving in Moldova as well as the provision of three hot meals per day (1.4 million meals) to 3,897 Ukrainians living in 16 Refugee Accommodation Centers. Cash was distributed to 18,558 Moldovan households hosting Ukrainian refugees.
Under SO2, WFP Moldova continued to provide technical assistance to the Government, including the reinforcement of the Ajutor Social Programme, digitalization and social canteen assessments and support. WFP presented reports on high-level information system evaluations to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MLSP) and the National Employment Agency, providing key recommendations for the design and development of a new single-window platform for Social Protection. Additionally, WFP supported MLSP in drafting and securing approval for legislation on UAHelp, a critical platform for delivering assistance to refugee-hosting households.
Furthermore, WFP provided technical assistance to its financial service provider 'Posta Moldova' to enhance its security posture. Under SO2, following a request from the MLSP, WFP also distributed cash to 67,346 vulnerable Moldovans identified by the Ministry. All support under this SO contributed to the enhancement of social protection systems as well as a Moldovan shock-responsive and emergency programmes capacity. Additionally, WFP’s implementation of its humanitarian assistance activities through existing Government systems, contributes to the capacity enhancement efforts.
The overall contribution of WFP to stronger social protection programmes, providing humanitarian financial assistance and increasing the economic capacity of most vulnerable groups to meet essential needs, generates a positive impact on the sustainability of local food markets, indirectly contributing to economic growth and aligning with the Government priorities. This economic support also contributes to the Republic of Moldova - Poverty reduction and growth strategy (2023). Through its presence and support during the first 10 months of the implementation of the ICSP, WFP injected the equivalent of USD 22.6 million in cash-based and value transfer into the Moldovan economy.
WFP remained sensitive in all aspects of the programme planning and implementation to promote an effective programme and targeted approach with an adequate workforce. In the reporting period, 62 percent of the Ukrainian refugees and 57 percent of the most vulnerable Moldovans receiving WFP support were women and girls. Additionally, it is estimated that a third of the beneficiaries amongst the Ukrainian refugee population are children. The majority of recipients from the Moldovan population groups receiving top-up cash assistance were elderly (73 percent) and families with a child living with disabilities (24 percent). Overall, more than 57 percent of beneficiaries were from households with a person living with disabilities.
During the reporting period, WFP launched the ICSP. Identifying continuing needs in Moldova, WFP is maintaining similar objectives for the ICSP. The focus is on supporting the further development and implementation of relevant parts of social protection reforms aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind. Increased efforts towards national capacity strengthening are part of the drive towards a responsible exit from Moldova.