A long line of people queuing to board a bus.
14 March 2022. New arrivals from Ukraine wait for transport after entering Romania via the Siret border crossing. Photo: Ingrid Prestetun/NRC

NRC in Romania

Over 1.87 million people have fled Ukraine and entered Romania since 24 February, of which 80,000 are currently present in the country.

Humanitarian overview

The people fleeing to Romania are characterised by high levels of vulnerability. The majority of the people are women and children. Significant protection risks are associated with the ongoing border crossings.

Refugees and third-country nationals (TCNs) need access to essential goods and services such as shelter, food, health, nutrition, and other essential items. Protection needs are high, particularly regarding information and counselling on rights, legal assistance, access and availability of services, child protection, awareness of the risk of human trafficking, and psychosocial support. Lastly, social cohesion and integration with host communities remain key considerations.

NRC's operations

Since the onset of the conflict, NRC has provided humanitarian assistance in Romania both through direct implementation and partners. In Romania NRC prioritises a partner-led response that builds on the capacity of local civil society actors to deliver programming and we work alongside, and in support of, national authorities. NRC has established partnerships with 20 partners across both countries.

Key priorities in terms of programme interventions are ICLA, protection, UDOC, education, youth, WASH, and shelter.

ICLA: Provision of information, counselling, and legal assistance on refugees' status determination, migration, and residency; legal identity and documentation; employment law and procedures; security of tenure; registration procedure, state assistance programs, recovery of lost/damaged documentation, pensions.

UDOC (Camp Mgt/Urban displacement settings): Supporting local coordination mechanisms for service monitoring and provision, including local authorities, institutional service providers, local and international NGOs, civil society and representatives of the refugees’ and host communities; Information provision for refugees staying in the host communities to understand and access the different services available in the area.

Protection: Emergency individual protection assistance to identified vulnerable beneficiaries, including Psychological First Aid. Case management, including referrals, PSS and case support to identified vulnerable beneficiaries. Referring cases to NRC core competencies and other partners active in the targeted area.

Education: Provision of psychosocial support through NRC’s Better Learning Program (BLP); Capacity building of education authorities, formal and non-formal education personnel; creation of protective learning environments for children to support them in resuming connection with their peers and (re)integrating into formal education; distribution of teaching and learning materials.

Youth: Design, pilot, and scale-up youth-led initiatives to support referral pathways in formal education, livelihood, and social engagement programmes.

WASH/Shelter: WASH and shelter support to highly vulnerable displacement affected populations; Provision of a holistic and integrated response for winter 2022; Provision of in-kind kits for hygiene purposes.

MPCA (multipurpose cash assistance): Provision of cash assistance to those most in need and with identified protection concerns. Cash assistance creates synergies with protection and legal aid activities by providing material support to highly vulnerable populations.

About NRC in Romania

Established
2022
International staff
18
Areas of operation
Romania, Moldova, South Ukraine
Budget 2022
80 million NOK
Nnational staff
27

Contact:

Country Director

Jacopo Caridi

Phone

E-mail

nrc@nrc.no