Attachments
Key figures
185,984 refugees obtained temporary protection and refugee status in Romania (as of end May 2025).
2,275 refugees enrolled for cash assistance in 2025; 17,419 in 2024.
6,440 refugees provided with protection counselling services and legal support in 2025; 26,086 in 2024.
4,211 refugees supported with livelihood and employment services in 2025; 9,286 in 2024.
Humanitarian Response and Advocacy
UNHCR Romania continued its participatory assessment exercise, engaging with a total of over 90 refugees so far, identifying their own protection risks, needs, and proposed solutions. The exercise is a structured, inclusive consultation process that involves direct engagement in the form of focus group discussions with refugees to ensure that their voices inform UNHCR’s protection strategies, services, and solutions for the coming year while promoting dignity, inclusion, and accountability. In addition, UNHCR is seeking to receive direct feedback on the ongoing services and adjust its interventions throughout Romania. So far, 10 sessions have taken place in Bucharest, Iași, Rădăuți, Suceava, and Timișoara.
On 10 July, UNHCR held an information session for Ukrainian refugees with disabilities at the UNHCR’s Romexpo Community Centre in Bucharest. The session brought together participants seeking information on how to apply for disability status, as well as those already receiving related state assistance. Participants emphasized that the session was relevant to their needs and expressed appreciation, particularly for the detailed information provided on the Minimum Inclusion Income (VMI) in Romania. The discussion was dynamic and inclusive, with participants actively engaging, sharing personal experiences, and highlighting the obstacles they face. The session contributed to improving their awareness of and access to available social assistance. So far in 2025, UNHCR and its partners have supported 6,440 refugees with protection services, including group awareness raising sessions.
On 8 July, UNHCR partner World Vision Romania conducted a thematic training on Workplace: Essential Communication for Job Integration for refugee jobseekers in Constanța. The training was designed to help Ukrainian refugees enhance their Romanian language skills with a focus on the workplace. Those attending this type of training for the first time received tailored explanations of concepts to ensure they could fully understand the material and successfully integrate into the course structure. The refugees gave positive feedback on the training aimed to equip them with essential linguistic tools to facilitate their integration into the Romanian workplace. Since the beginning of 2025, UNHCR and its partners have Ukrainian refugees supported 4,211 refugees with livelihoods assistance.
On 10 July, UNHCR met with the President of the Giurgiu Local Court, the Vice President of Giurgiu Tribunal, and 11 other judges involved in assessing asylum cases in first instance and appeal proceedings. Following up on the takeaways of the November 2024 seminar held by UNHCR under the auspices of the National Institute for Magistracy, the meeting sought updates from the judges regarding their information and involvement in Romanian authorities’ efforts to align to the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The judges reiterated the need for trainings on asylum, requesting UNHCR’s support in better understanding what reviewing GII’s asylum decisions should entail, as well as resources fit for judges in Romanian language. The meeting is part of UNHCR Romania’s efforts to strengthen its cooperation with judges and courts of law reviewing asylum decisions.