Palanca, Moldova - Five months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused over half a million people to flee across the border into Moldova, IOM is continuing its intensified support to the government there.

This week, at the Palanca border crossing, IOM handed over essential equipment to the Moldovan Border Police, including off-road vehicles, computers and related equipment, mobile and fixed document verification equipment, tents, generators, border control booths and stamps.

These items will be of immense assistance to Moldova’s border authorities who – at the peak of the crisis - were overwhelmed by up to 30,000 new arrivals each day, compared with a normal cohort of just 1,200.

The aid was funded by Government of the United States Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration, the Government of Japan, and the Migrant and Refugee Fund of the Council of Europe Development Bank.

“This equipment, together with the technical assistance and training that IOM is delivering in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will position national authorities to continue facilitating safe, secure and dignified entry at their borders for Ukrainians and Third Country nationals affected by conflict, as well as enhancing preparedness for any potential future crises,” Ms. Margo Baars, IOM Moldova’s Emergency Coordinator, said during the handover ceremony.

Japanese Ambassador Yoshihiro Katayama said the international donation was “a firm message of solidarity and support for the Republic of Moldova in the face of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”

Laura Hruby, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of the United States praised the professionalism of the border authorities, “who have managed the arrival of an unprecedented number of refugees in extremely challenging circumstances. Efficient arrival screening means those fleeing the violence in Ukraine can reach safety and support more quickly.”

The participants in the handover ceremony were shown a simulation of the border entry process, including stand-by measures that are in place in case of increased flows across the border.

For more information please contact Joe Lowry on jlowry@iom.int. Tel: +43660 3776404