Attachments
Since the escalation of the international armed conflict in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, more than 5.9 million people have fled their homes to seek safety, protection and assistance across Europe. Over 3.7 million people have crossed the border to Romania and were supported by the Government, civil society, private sector actors, international organizations and volunteer’s hospitality and generosity.
UN agencies and NGOs, support the national response in coordination of humanitarian actors under the framework of the Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and through the Refugee Coordination Forum (RCF) and sector working groups. The 2023 Romania RRP is aligned with the Government National Plan of Measures (NPM) for the protection and inclusion of refugees from Ukraine.
UNHCR is leading the Inter-Agency platform comprised of 34 appealing partners implementing humanitarian activities for the refugees from Ukraine.
Operational context
Since 24 February 2022, more than 5.9 million people from Ukraine have sought refuge across Europe. As of 02 July 2023, more than 3.8 million border crossings from Ukraine and Moldova into Romania have been recorded by border police, with some 96,512 people choosing to remain in the country. Around 136,956 Ukrainian (135,654) and Third Country Nationals (1,302) have obtained temporary protection, which enables access to healthcare, education, and the labour market. The number of refugees from Ukraine present in Romania has been decreasing, from its peak of 113,009 in February, to 96,512 (as of 02 July).
The inter-agency coordination platform, led by UNHCR, liaised with the 34 humanitarian partners of the Refugee Response Plan (RRP) on their funding situation and its impact on programming. The current funding situation indicates that half of the appealing partners need to adjust their programming due to funding gaps and particularly local NGOs are severely affected. Sectors most affected are Protection (activities on response to gender-based violence, counter-trafficking etc) and Health. The 2023 RRP required US$ 153.6M for activities in Romania, of which 17 per cent are funded in Q1. The results of the Q2 analysis will be shared in the coming weeks with relevant stakeholders.
UNHCR and partners commemorated the World Refugee Day with a series of events with participation of relevant authorities and institutions at national and local level, media, humanitarian actors and refugees from Ukraine and around the world hosted in Romania. Throughout the week, hundreds of refugees in Timisoara,
Bucharest, Suceava, Galati, Constanta, Iasi, Radauti, and Sibiu engaged in the activities and exchanged their experiences. All events and engagements were centered around this year’s theme Hope Away from Home – a world where refugees are always included, and highlighted the solidarity that refugees receive in Romania.