A humanitarian operation in Moldova is being rolled out this week through the European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC) to enhance the EU emergency response and support humanitarian partners already active in the field. The operation consists of the set-up of a warehouse in Chisinau at the disposal of humanitarian partners to facilitate aid deployment and the delivery of over 1 200 tents and 4 000 blankets for people displaced by the conflict, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
This delivery is reaching Moldova thanks to the implementation of three Humanitarian Air Bridge operations transporting the humanitarian cargo. The warehouse and deployment of humanitarian supplies are fully funded by the EU.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said that with Russian military aggression on Ukraine unfolding in a devastatingly brutal way, the humanitarian needs of the civilians affected are growing exponentially. “In order to be able to provide a lifeline to everyone in need, all the capacities available must be mobilized. This is why in addition to EU funding for humanitarian partners on the ground, we are also enabling them with concrete operational support. Through the mobilization of the European Humanitarian Response Capacity and its operation in Moldova, the EU reaffirms its support also to those countries hosting refugees who are fleeing from the horrors of this conflict,” said the European commissioner.
The war in Ukraine has already forced more than 4.3 million people to flee to neighboring countries like Moldova, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, the majority of them being women and children. This is the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. Earlier this year, the EU allocated an additional fund of €3 million for humanitarian assistance in Moldova, on top of the €5 million already contracted at the early stage of the crisis. Moreover, 18 EU Member States and Norway have offered in-kind assistance to Moldova through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). It includes amongst others, shelter items, medical aid, food and energy supplies. Given the magnitude of needs, the Commission has also mobilized medical equipment from the rescEU medical stockpiles based in Germany, Hungary and the Netherlands, runs the press release.
