SUMMARY
As of early December 2022, more than 7.8 million refugees have reportedly fled Ukraine, with more than 98,000 of whom are reportedly in Romania. 1, 2 While most refugees are residing in the host community, limited information is currently available to response actors regarding their demographic profile, household composition, humanitarian needs, movement intentions, or coping capacities. REACH Initiative, in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and in cooperation with Inter-Agency working groups and taskforces, conducted a MultiSector Needs Assessment (MSNA) to ensure the necessary evidence base is available to effectively respond to the needs of Ukrainian refugee households.
This assessment was implemented through a quantitative approach. Primary data was collected through a structured, multi-sectoral survey that included questions pertaining to both the individual and household (HH) level for all surveyed heads of households (HoHHs).
The questionnaire was designed in cooperation with UNHCR and the sector leads of each working group. The sample was purposive for HHs living inside the community, and in the collective sites (CSs). Data collection took place between 12 October 2022 and 1 November 2022 and covered a total of 716 refugee HHs with 598 HHs living in the host community and 118 households living in CSs in Romania.
The sampling frame for refugees living inside the community was produced using the estimates from UNHCR in Romania. For the refugees living in CSs, the sampling frame was developed based on the number of hosted refugees reported by the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) - Ministry of Internal Affairs. For more details on the methodology, please refer to the Terms of Reference.
This report presents findings and analyses across the sectors of demographics, cash and livelihoods, protection, healthcare, education, accommodation, and intentions, as well as accountability to affected people for refugee households in the host community and collective sites in Romania. Key findings from the MSNA include, but are not limited to, the following:
Demographics: The average age of the head of household interviewed was 40.5 years and 78% were women. Regarding household composition, the average age of household members in the sample was 30 years old, with 56% of individuals aged between 18 and 59 years, 34% minors and 10% over 60 years. Three-quarters of household members were female.
Cash and livelihoods: findings showed that the respondents had a high level of education, and were employed in Ukraine before coming to Romania. Their perception about accessing the labour market in Romania was not favourable for them, with 51% of respondents not having the same professional status as before the displacement. Out of which, 80% reported not working at the time of the interview. The most prevalent barriers to employment reported by the HHs included lack of employment options, as well as language barrier. In terms of sources of income, the largest majority reported relying on remittances, social benefits or humanitarian assistance. In the case of protracted displacement, and the depletion of these resources, refugee HHs in Romania may experience heightened vulnerability and difficulties to cover their basic needs over time.
Protection: in general, respondents did not report concern over safety or security risks for men, women and children in their HH. Discrimination and verbal abuse were the most often reported hostile behaviours experienced, though in a relatively low proportion (7%) of respondents.