In this new report the Romanian Government assesses the measures it has taken in response to the influx of people displaced from Ukraine and their outcomes, the European Commission said on Monday.
According to official figures, as of 5 January 2023 there are 107 241 people (including 47 851 children) displaced from Ukraine registered in Romania. 4 397 of these are asylum seekers, but the majority have been granted temporary protection. More than 300 NGOs have so far been involved in assisting those from Ukraine across the country, and over 20 legislative acts/amendments directly related to emergency aid for and the protection and integration of refugees from Ukraine – involving a budget of over €565 million – have been adopted.
The overall structure of Romania’s response has two layers: the immediate emergency response, and the medium- to long-term response which focuses on the protection and inclusion of refugees. The emergency response was coordinated by the Department for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and included measures designed to meet the immediate needs of refugees from Ukraine, such as access to territory, protection, transportation, food, shelter and health services.
The report details the following key outcomes of these emergency measures, as of 5 January 2023:
- 15 temporary transit center have been set up along Romania’s border with Ukraine and Moldova to provide emergency aid to refugees
- 24 clinics providing general practice services have been identified and supported across the country to register and provide services to refugees
- 138 000 people were provided with emergency relief kits and in-kind assistance
- 186 000 people received cash assistance
- 16 493 people were able to access temporary accommodation
The medium- to long-term response was the result of 6 collaborative working groups involving state actors, NGOs, international organisations and agencies. Their work was brought together in a 3-year, integrated plan of measures for the protection and inclusion of Ukrainian refugees in Romania, covering the areas of housing, health, education, labour, children and youth, and vulnerable groups.
The report also identifies the following key outcomes from the implementation of the overall plan of measures, as of 5 January 2023:
- 19 594 refugees received emergency medical services; 3 170 were hospitalised
- 5 007 refugees from Ukraine are legally employed in Romania
- 8 Blue Dot Centres set up by UNICEF and UNHCR, in partnership with local service providers, function as information hubs on services available to those displaced from Ukraine
- 3 087 children are registered as ‘listeners’ (1 995 in schools and 1 092 in kindergartens)
- 594 children are enrolled in schools and 288 in kindergartens
- 4 060 children and youth are attending extra-curricular activities
- Over €76 million has been spent on housing for refugees
- Over €152 million has been spent on food
Despite this unprecedented mobilization in response to the crisis, challenges have still been reported, especially in relation to integration. Some of these challenges are partially attributed to the expectation among those displaced that the war will come to an end, as this belief means that many do not plan to remain in Romania and are therefore not motivated to learn the language, continue their education or seek employment.
