When a person flees their country, they face many challenges. Humanitarian organizations provide support so they can cover their most basic and urgent needs.
Such support is called Humanitarian assistance; the cash program is a part of it.
The cash assistance programme is managed by UNHCR through its partners Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in conjunction with Caritas Moldova and Diaconia; in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Its objective is to provide emergency cash assistance to people who fled Ukraine and are currently residing in Moldova.
Hey! Humanitarian Assistance is free of charge. If a humanitarian worker asked for money, sexual favors or anything in return for your enrolment in the cash assistance program, you can submit a complaint: online form Your confidentiality will be kept!
If you have any questions regarding cash assistance from UNHCR, please follow this link. If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact us by filling out this form.
If you are a citizen from Moldova hosting refugees, you can find more information regarding WFP cash assistance here: Cash assistance for host communities.
Enroll for cash assistance: new arrivals
Applies to refugees arriving after 1 January 2024.
New refugees arriving to Moldova will receive two months of initial cash assistance based on vulnerability criteria. Following this period, it is necessary to secure legal status—temporary protection, refugee status, humanitarian protection, stateless status, or a residence permit (temporary or permanent).
For new arrivals, the first step is to approach an Enrolment Center and request to be enrolled. You will need to provide your personal data and phone number. Afterwards, UNHCR or one of its partners will contact you by phone or SMS to provide the appointment details.
On the date and time of your appointment approach the Enrolment Center again. All the family members should attend, bring your documents with you. At the Center, they will ask for and register your data, including your picture and fingerprints. If you are eligible, you will receive a prepaid card (MAIB bank) and detailed information on the program.
You should know that UNHCR and its partners conduct in-person verifications periodically, which means that you will be invited for an additional interview. It is therefore vital to keep us updated about any change of address or phone number. You can do this by calling the hotline, or by approaching an Enrollment Centers in person.
For people with disabilities and/or severe medical conditions who are unable to approach an Enrolment centre, please call: 0 800 10 823.
Enroll for cash assistance: current cash recipients
Ongoing assistance will require that you prove that you have secured legal status in the country.
If you fled Ukraine shortly before or after February 24, 2022, and currently reside in Moldova, securing legal status is crucial for continued cash assistance for you and your family.
If you have secured Temporary Protection update your information online here, or approach a Cash Enrolment Centre before 31 January 2024. For any other type of legal status you will need to approach an Centre.
More information about the changes here: Refugee Cash Assistance Updates in – UNHCR Moldova
The following are recognized as legal statuses in Moldova:
– Temporary protection
– Refugee status
– Humanitarian protection
– Stateless status
– Residence permit (either temporary or permanent)
Non-Ukrainian nationals qualify for cash assistance if:
They are family members of Ukrainian refugees who arrive to Moldova after 24 February 2022, with prior residence status in Ukraine. Or if they have received international protection in Ukraine, such as refugee or stateless status.
Locate an Enrolment Centre
Enrolment centres are open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
Who can receive cash assistance? How do I receive cash assistance? I have a missing payment (…)
UNHCR will inform in case of any review of the Cash Programme through public Information campaigns.
Protect yourself and your family from fraud schemes. Your personal information and identity documents should always be kept safe and confidential. Only share your personal information with trusted aid agencies and authorities when asked. Never give away your personal information on social and untrusted websites
Keep your information updated! In case your phone number has changed please update it by calling the Cash Assistance Helpline: 0 800 10823 or approach the nearest Enrolment Centre.
All humanitarian assistance provided is free of charge.