Attachments
Key figures
175,331 refugees obtained temporary protection in Romania (as of 31 October 2024).
16,875 refugees enrolled for cash assistance in 2024.
22,617 refugees provided with protection counselling services and legal support since January 2024.
8,536 refugees supported with livelihood and employment services since January 2024.
Highlights
On 21 and 22 November, UNHCR and the National Institute for Magistracy jointly organised a seminar for judges focused on the courts of law and asylum procedure in Romania. The seminar brought together 15 judges from first-instance courts, tribunals, and courts of appeal nationwide, specializing in asylum cases. The event featured insightful presentations from speakers representing the General Inspectorate for Immigration, UNHCR offices in Strasbourg, Brussels, and Romania, as well as a former judge with extensive experience in asylum law.
On 19 November, UNHCR and the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce (RDCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their collaboration on issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion. The partnership between UNHCR and RDCC started in 2023 and continued until now to support job opportunities for refugees from Ukraine in Romania. As part of the new MoU, RDCC will provide training and capacity-building on equality, diversity and inclusion topics to UNHCR and partners, while also promoting the economic inclusion of refugees within Romania's business community.
Humanitarian Response and Advocacy
On 25 November, UNHCR and partners are marking the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a campaign which runs annually from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women until Human Rights Day on 10 December. For the next 16 days, UNHCR and partners will have activities and events in Bucharest, Constanta, Suceava and Timisoara.
UNHCR in Galati marked the Global Education Week with an event attended by 30 children from Ukraine and Romania. On 20 November, Ukrainian refugee children were invited to join local children in a special event centred around this year's theme: "Connected People for an Inclusive Planet" at a kindergarten in Galati. The event kicked off with a performance by the Ukrainian children, followed by a painting workshop and a session where the children made friendship bracelets. The day concluded with the exchange of small gifts, fostering connection and solidarity.
On 23 November, and with a view to redesign the exterior wall of RomExpo centre, 12 Ukrainian and Romanian youth gathered for the final social cohesion workshop, amplifying their voices and celebrating cultural diversity through art and dialogue. They created the message “Together we do better,” which forms the basis of their manifesto and mural. The mural is being painted on the exterior wall of the UNHCR’s community centre at RomExpo.
UNHCR fosters two-way communication with refugees in Romania through various channels, including a dedicated hotline and Telegram group. These platforms provide tailored information on services and assistance, while also enabling refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons to raise queries and complaints. The hotline offers direct access to crucial, up-to-date information, and in November, responded to nearly 500 inquiries. Meanwhile, the official Telegram channel, followed by over 12,200 individuals, delivers real-time updates and resources, making it the preferred communication tool for the refugee community in Romania.