HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Action Against Hunger has been working in Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, which in recent years has struggled economically due to various causes, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the crisis between Russia and Ukraine on its northern and eastern borders, while in 2023 rising inflation (above 27%) and energy costs continued to worsen living conditions. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), more than 13% of Moldovans live on less than 5 euros a day, and nearly a quarter of the total population lives in absolute poverty, a scenario in which the threat of food insecurity is a daily reality.
In 2023, Moldova was the country with the most refugees per capita in Europe. With a population of just over 2.5 million, more than one million Ukrainian refugees have crossed its borders, and some 120,000 have decided to stay. The vast majority are in host communities which, in many cases, were already in need of help.
OUR ACTIVITY
Focusing on the areas of Chisinau, Balti, Stefan Voda, Otaci, Giurgiulesti and Ungheni, Action Against Hunger has implemented cash assistance, hot meal distribution, nutritional support, maternal and child care and support for access to water, sanitation and waste management services. Almost 80,000 people received food assistance and more than 20,000 food kits were distributed to Ukrainian refugees, in addition to more than 6,000 multi-purpose cash assistance packages. In addition, more than 10,000 people have benefited from the water, sanitation and hygiene programme.
Since the war began, almost 18,000 refugees have received cash assistance and 2,300 are currently hosted at Refugee Accommodation Centres. Working with local agencies has enabled us to design and develop programmes that will have a lasting impact after international humanitarian actors leave the country.
WHERE WE HELP
We help 24.5 million people each year. We work in 55 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, those most threatened by hunger.