Chișinău - The administration of the Customs Service hosted a ceremony to receive a donation of equipment financed by the Governments of the United States, Japan and the UK through the agency of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the Customs Service.

The equipment is intended for customs posts to help them manage the crossborder flow in the context of the situation in Ukraine and to strengthen the capacities of the Training Center. The donation consists of computers, including operating systems and licenses, laptops, electronic security seals, mobile accounts for managing traffic, video projectors for the Training Center, lanterns and electric generators.

Customs Service vice director Nicolae Vutkaryov thanked the people of the U.S., Japan and the UK for the trust-based strategic partnership, for the consistent support and valuable assistance intended for Moldovan society and also expressed his gratitude to the IOM for receptivity, promptness and consistent assistance offered in implementing new large-scale projects.

“We further bank on your support and assistance in implementing our joint projects that are aimed mainly at achieving the international customs standards by modernization and digitization, by improving communication, strengthening capacities and developing the professional skills of customs functionaries,” stated Nicolae Vutkaryov.

“Since the aggression broke out, Japan has swiftly offered support to Ukraine, the neighboring counties that host refugees, including Moldova. I would like to express our appreciation to the people and the Government of the Republic of Moldova for the hospitality and generosity with which you opened your country and homes to thousands of Ukrainians, offering them protection and the necessary social assistance. This donation aims to help Moldova cope with the challenges generated by Russia’s unjustified aggression against Ukraine,” said Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan Mariko Mori.

“We are too conscious of a variety of scenarios that can generate the coming of a larger number of people than that recorded in February and March 2022, and we therefore clearly made an appropriate choice to continue strengthening the capacities of the customs authorities along Moldova’s borders, on the very front line. Starting with March, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UK has contributed £12 million in direct support for projects in Moldova and £33 million at regional level, while the great power of the IOM offers additional capacity to work hand in hand with the national authorities, respecting their capacities and simultaneously contributing knowledge and global expertise,” stated Edward Inglett, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy.

“The equipment donated to the Customs Service marks once again the long and close cooperation of the IOM and its commitment to ensure the operational continuity of the Customs Service thanks to the generous support of the Governments of the United States, Japan and the UK,” said IOM’s Chief of Mission to the Republic of Moldova Lars Johan Lönnback.

The equipment is donated within three projects implemented by the IOM: “Emergency Response to the Needs of Crisis-Hit Persons in Ukraine and Moldova”, “Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in Ukraine and Neighboring Countries”, and “IOM Flash Appeal for Ukraine and the Neighboring Countries”.

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For more information, please contact: 
Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, IOM Moldova 
rseveri@iom.int