Korean Government Donated $3 Million to Support UNICEF Programmes for Moldovan and Ukrainian Children

Chisinau, 2 July 2024: The Korean Government has contributed $3 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to enhance access to protection, education and health services for children and families in difficult situations in Moldova, including Ukrainian refugees.  

"UNICEF is grateful to the Korean people for their significant contribution towards creating a better future for Moldovan and Ukrainian children who have faced the harsh consequences of war, refugee crisis and the pandemic, such as violence, displacement, and extreme poverty", said Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova. "This financial support will enable UNICEF to continue its interventions that foster social cohesion and improve the lives of children in their communities." 

Korea's contribution will help UNICEF to continue ensuring free primary medical and health services and early childhood intervention services to children and their caregivers who fled the war in Ukraine. It will also improve access to these services for Moldovan children affected by poverty or disabilities. Additionally, UNICEF will enhance its efforts to identify and protect unaccompanied and separated refugee children from violence and abuse, including gender-based violence. The child protection initiative will also focus on preventing child separation, supporting vulnerable families, children with disabilities and those in contact with the law, and strengthening the capacity of social and child protection workers to deliver essential services to both refugees and Moldovan children. In the area of education, UNICEF will channel Korea's support to offer training in STEAM to Moldovan and refugee youth. This programme aims to equip young people with the necessary skills to pursue careers or establish social start-up businesses in STEAM fields. 

H.E. Kim Hyung-Tae, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova underscored the importance of protecting children from harmful effects of the war and said “Under no circumstances children should be left without protection and robbed of their childhood. We are confident that with this support rendered to our longstanding partner UNICEF, we can help provide essential support and protection to Ukrainian refugee children and Moldovan children who are at a vulnerable situation, making them more resilient in the face of the ongoing challenges.”

From the onset of the war, around 120,000 Ukrainians have found safety in Moldova, including more than 52,000 children. Since 2022, child protection specialists, supported by UNICEF, have identified more than 900 unaccompanied or separated children at the border, ensuring they receive access to protection, health, and education services. Furthermore, UNICEF has supported the healthcare system in Moldova to provide free health services for refugee mothers and their children.