Customs NGOs are preparing for new waves of refugees from Ukraine

The non-governmental organizations in the Romanian-Ukrainian customs are making plans to continue covering the needs of people who want to take shelter from the war started by Russia.

In search of specialized personnel and strictly necessary products, the associations are preparing for new waves of refugees with the announcement of the annexation of the regions of southern and eastern Ukraine to Russia. With details, the RRA correspondent in Tulcea, Luiza Rosetti.

Reporter: Referendums on the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions to Russia will lead to an increase in transit in the Romanian-Ukrainian customs, says Andreeas Novacovici, the president of the YouHub Association, which has been active in Isaccea since the beginning of March.

Andreeas Novacovici: The figures will increase in all customs. All the colleagues in the Blue Dots in the country were asked to prepare plans for the winter, and, for the increase in both the number of staff and the number of agencies physically present, because this summer the activity dispersed and there are fewer left who work daily in customs.

Reporter: YouHub Association wants to hire social workers, psychologists and translators and provides motivating salaries.

Andreeas Novacovici: We work with employees, because otherwise we cannot ensure sustainability here. From the plans we have, we are ready for the next 5 years. Hopefully it won't require so much customs involvement.

Reporter: Since the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 210.000 people have benefited from the free services provided by Isaccea Customs.

Translated by: Radu Matei