The project “Supporting the implementation of social assistance reform, including assistance to refugee families” was finalized in Moldova. One of the key areas was the support of Ukrainian citizens who received temporary protection in our country.
In particular, 7,013 children from 3,158 families, including 169 refugee children from Ukraine, received assistance within the Social Service for Supporting Families with Children. The maximum amount of assistance amounted to 4,000 lei, the average – 2,744 lei. A package of social programs was implemented for refugees with temporary protection, including: lump-sum allowance at child birth; monthly allowance for child care; social payments for children; compensation for transportation for children with disabilities.
Representatives of the Ministry of Labor and UNICEF noted that the support measures helped the integration of refugees into the national social assistance system and will be continued to ensure their sustainability.
Also among the results of the project are the expansion of social assistance for vulnerable groups in our country through unification of social services and simplification of access to them and the development of a legislative framework for the “RESTART” reform. Within this program, from January 1, 2024, the competences in the field of social protection were transferred from the district and municipal councils, with the exception of Chisinau and Gagauzia, to the territorial agencies of social assistance, subordinated to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
The project “Supporting the Implementation of Social Assistance Reform in Moldova, including Assistance to Refugee Families” was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the National Social Insurance Fund. Its budget amounted to US$ 2.5 million.
