To the refugee community in Moldova. UNHCR wants to inform you about important changes to the Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) programme.
Due to significant cuts in humanitarian funding, and despite our efforts to reduce costs and raise additional funds, UNHCR is facing a very difficult financial situation. As a result, we are forced to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue supporting those most in need.
What is changing?
Starting in April 2026, UNHCR will apply further prioritization criteria. This means that some individuals who currently receive cash assistance will no longer receive cash assistance from April onwards:
- Reassessment and verification interviews will be conducted in March. This one month will allow UNHCR and its partners to re-assess the needs of current beneficiaries. Starting in April 2026, the number of people receiving cash assistance will be reduced.
- The caseload may be reduced up to 40%, and assistance will be provided to households with the highest levels of vulnerability.
UNHCR, in collaboration with partner organizations Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Diaconia, and Caritas Moldova, will be conducting in-person interviews for all refugees who are currently receiving cash assistance to assess their level of vulnerability and continued eligibility for UNHCR cash support. You will receive an invitation to attend an interview.
All beneficiaries who are currently eligible will receive their March 2026 payment
UNHCR understands how difficult this news may be, we recognize the vulnerability of the current beneficiaries, and we deeply regret the negative impact it will have on many families. These changes are necessary to maximize the limited resources available. This is a very difficult step, taken only because of the financial outlook.
Cash changes: What you need to know:
You will receive an SMS with an invitation to attend the re-assessment interview at the closest cash enrollment centre. Interviews will be carried out in March.
It is very important that you attend your scheduled interview. The interview will also serve as a verification for continued assistance. If you do not appear for your interview, such that UNHCR is unable to assess your situation and confirm your continued presence in Moldova, you risk losing your cash assistance.
If you are a person with limited mobility and you are unable to approach a Cash Enrolment Centre, please call: 0 800 10 823 to request a home visit.
If you have any questions about your scheduled interview, you may call 0 800 10 823 to get more information from Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.
Please call UNHCR’s Green Line at 080080011 (daily 10:00–18:00; weekends 10:00–14:00) or use the other communication channels listed here https://help.unhcr.org if you require support other than cash assistance.
What to expect in the interviews
The interview is similar to what you have gone through in October-November 2025. We will ask you a series of questions to gain a deeper understanding of your family’s needs and capacities as they relate to household composition, accommodation, health, socio-economic status, and specific needs.
This information is vital in assessing your eligibility for cash assistance. Please note that all the information collected during these interviews will be kept private. Trained staff from protection desks will be available to discuss any sensitive information in a confidential space.
Be ready. Please approach cash enrolment centres with all your family members, including children, and bring any essential documents you have, such as any proof of enrollment issued by UNHCR, ID document provided by the Government of Moldova, national passport (either biometric or internal), national ID card, medical reports (if any), disability certificate (if any, even if expired), etc.
Eligibility and Targeting Criteria
Eligibility will be determined using a vulnerability scorecard. You and your family will be interviewed based on a set of questions, which will provide information about the socio-economic and protection situation of the household.
There is no automatic inclusion or exclusion based solely on a category, our assessment is done case by case and looks at compounded situations in the family. However, Moldovan citizens (including individuals with Moldovan-dual nationality) will no longer be eligible.
After the interview
After the assessment, you will receive an SMS notification in mid-April informing you whether you are eligible or not for continued cash assistance.
If you are found eligible, you will receive cash assistance from April and onward. The caseload may be reduced up to 40%, and assistance will be provided to households with the highest levels of vulnerability.
A reconsideration mechanism will be available for people found ineligible. Beneficiaries who receive exclusion notifications by SMS will have the opportunity to request a review of their case two weeks after receiving the message.
Please note that due to extremely limited funding and the high vulnerability threshold applied, the likelihood of being re-included in the programme is expected to be very low.
We strongly encourage all households to plan ahead in case they are no longer eligible for assistance under the revised programme.
UNHCR recognizes the continued needs and vulnerabilities of people who will fall out of the cash programme. Information, support and referrals will continue to be available at Protection desks in each cash enrollment center.
We are committed to ensuring support for the most vulnerable individuals benefiting from UNHCR cash assistance within our existing capacity, and we appreciate your cooperation during this transition.
If you have not received an SMS about your interview yet, please rest assured that we will be contacting everyone for an assessment.
Thank you for your understanding.
