On the 14 of September, IOM handed over essential equipment to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, including 2 modern forklifts, 2 minibuses for transporting people, and 14 trailers for transporting large capacity generators. The aid, in the total amount of EUR 237 000 was generously funded by the Government of Japan as part of the project: „Humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and neighboring countries”.

The event was attended by the Emergency Coordination within IOM Moldova, Margo Cara Baars, the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova, His Excellency Yoshihiro Katayama, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Serghei Diaconu, and the head of the GIES, Alexandru Oprea.

Margo Cara Bars: "Given the scale and the scope of the situation, it's been IOM's privilege and honor to stand behind you (GIES) and to assist you in your response. Technical assistance and equipment leave you better prepared to respond to future emergencies.”

"We hope that the equipment provided will be used to the maximum for the good of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, at the same time they will improve the management capacity of refugees from Ukraine." — Ambassador Katayama mentioned.

"Japan is always close when it comes to help, assistance, cooperation, and support. We thank the Government and the Japanese people for their support in the crisis situation we are going through due to the war in Ukraine, through the assistance provided together with the IOM to frontline employees. This kind of assistance enables them to provide quality, efficient and safe services to all citizens", noted the Secretary-General, Serghei Diaconu.

The purpose of the donation is to strengthen the capacities of GIES to respond rapidly and manage the influx of refugees and TCNs, due to conflict in Ukraine.

***

For more information, please contact: Ana Gnip at +373 79 66 77 51, agnip@iom.int