Over 490,000 people have fled the war in Ukraine via Moldova, with close to 78,000 remaining in the country , generally reckoned to be Europe’s poorest economy. IOM Chief of Mission to the Republic of Moldova, Lars Johan Lönnback noted that the influx has had an important impact on the socio-economic conditions in country, putting a huge strain on social systems and services, particularly on provision of healthcare which affect new arrivals and Moldovan nationals alike.

Ever since the escalation of the conflict, IOM has provided significant support to the Moldovan government and affected populations including transportation for refugees and third-country nationals to the European Union, provision of psychosocial support, assistance to health centers, and provision of basic services at different transit points.

In recent weeks, a shortage of essential medicines, particularly drugs for care of patients with cancer, has caused significant concern regarding the capacity to continue treatments. This has been alleviated with the generous donation of US$155,500 to IOM by the Government of Japan, for the purchase of life-saving oncological drugs and related equipment.

At a ceremony to mark the donation, the Head of the General Division of Integral Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Ion Chesov, stressed the Importance of the donation, saying “these medicines are greatly needed for continuity of care both for refugees from Ukraine and the citizens of the republic of Moldova.´´

This was the first out of two planned deliveries to support for cancer treatments for refugees and third-country nationals in Moldova.

For further information please contact Ana Gnip on

+373 79 66 77 51,

Email agnip@iom.int

Video of the donation ceremony