"Romania was and will remain a place of safety and peace for Ukrainian refugees"

Romania was and will remain a "space of safety and tranquility" for the waves of Ukrainian refugees, declared Friday, January 13, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, emphasizing that our country assumed from the first moment the role of a reliable European and international partner in the management of this crisis, reports Agerpres.

The Head of the Executive participated in the presentation of the Report on Romania's efforts and achievements in the field of humanitarian assistance to refugees, children's rights and other vulnerable categories for the year 2022, produced by the Department for Community Social Responsibility and Vulnerable Groups, in collaboration with institutional partners.

"Over 3 million Ukrainian citizens crossed our borders in the last 12 months, of which over 2.5 million benefited from direct support from the Government of Romania or from our partners, whether we are talking about free transport, food, clothing, shelter, long-term accommodation, emergency financial aid, tens of thousands of free interventions and medical and social services, access to the labor market and Romanian schools or the guarantee of safety offered by the temporary protection status offered by our country", stated Nicolae Ciuca.

He added that the Bucharest Government generated a clear response strategy to the refugee crisis, based on two phases: emergency intervention and medium and long-term responses for the integration of refugees, which assumed an extensive collaboration with all social partners.

Nicolae Ciuca reiterated that Romania will continue to offer support to Ukraine and refugees.

"We are at the stage where we must have an approach oriented towards temporary integration measures or in the medium and long term, in which Ukrainian refugees can live an independent life in our country, integrated in the labor field, and in which children benefit from education and social life", he added.

According to him, last year, an "exceptional partnership" was achieved between the Government, local authorities, UN agencies, diplomatic missions in Romania, civil society and, last but not least, the private sector and Romanian citizens.

Translated by: Radu Matei