Ukrainian refugee children and their families can now benefit of a newly dedicated space at the Siret border crossing point
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Siret, August 7, 2024 - A space dedicated to children and families who cross the border into Romania to seek refuge from the war in Ukraine has been inaugurated at the Siret Border Crossing Point (BCP) in Suceava County through a partnership between the Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police (TIBP) Sighetu Marmației, the United Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Designed to provide a safe and welcoming place for children and families forced to leave their homes due to the conflict, the space is equipped with adequate facilities and resources needed to provide basic assistance, meeting the immediate needs of mothers with children.
"We have been working with UNICEF and UNHCR since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. We support and thank our partners for the good cooperation. It is important to be able to offer such a space, especially since we are talking about a vulnerable category of people, namely mothers with children. From the experience we had at BCP Siret, it is key to be prepared and to be able to offer real support to these children who are going through such a difficult time", said Chief Police Commissioner Nemeș Pavel, Deputy Chief of TIBP Sighetu Marmației.
UNICEF Romania’s representative Anna Riatti emphasized the importance of this project as well: "Faced with the enormous challenges of the crisis generated by the war in Ukraine, it is essential to provide refugee children and their families with immediate assistance and a safe and stable environment as soon as they cross the borders into Romania. Since the beginning of the conflict two and a half years ago, UNICEF has been working with partners to provide essential services to refugee children and families. We thank the authorities and partners for their collaboration.”
Pablo Zapata, UNHCR Representative highlighted the need for continuous collaboration with national and local authorities, as well as partners: “It is crucial that we sustain our combined support and authorities, NGOs and international actors remains active, as refugees from Ukraine continue to cross the border into Romania. Around 70% of refugees in Romania are women and children. Our services should be designed to respond to the needs of children and families from Ukraine.”
The initiative is part of a series of joint efforts and collaboration between authorities and United Nations agencies to respond effectively to the needs of refugees. The authorities and partners involved will continue to monitor and improve the facilities and services provided, ensuring that all those going through this difficult period receive the necessary support.
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About the Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police Sighetu Marmației
The Sighetu Marmației Border Police Territorial Inspectorate is in charge of securing Romania's northern borders and border traffic management, ensuring the protection and safety of citizens and the national territory.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in Romania and 190 other countries and territories to promote the survival and development of children from early childhood through adolescence. In Romania, UNICEF works with key stakeholders such as the Government, Parliament, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, national and international partners and the media to ensure access to quality early childhood education and to school for all children, to protect adolescents and monitor children's rights, to provide social protection and to mobilize resources for the benefit of children. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit https://www.unicef.org/romania.
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About UNHCR Romania
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Our vision is a world where every person forced to flee can build a better future. UNHCR in Romania is working with authorities and partners to promote legal and physical protection of refugees.
You can reach us online both on our website UNHCR and on our Facebook and Twitter/X accounts.
