Romania’s partners have unanimously praised the way Bucharest
authorities are handling the crisis of Ukrainian refugees. Nearly 300 thousand
people fled war-torn Ukraine and crossed into Romania. Currently, Romania is
home to 80 thousand refugees, of whom 30 thousand are underage. Foreign
Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Monday discussed this topic with his Canadian
counterpart, Mélanie Joly. The latter expressed her gratitude for Romania’s
efforts to protect all people fleeing Ukraine, including the 600 Canadian
citizens who transited Romanian territory safely. Romania will continue to
provide assistance to Ukrainians and citizens of other states leaving Ukraine,
Minister Aurescu pointed out.
We stand with the Ukrainian people, who are resisting heroically.
At the same time, Romania is providing constant support to Ukrainian refugees
and citizens of third countries and members of diplomatic missions, with a view
to safely evacuating them from Ukraine and helping them transit Romania. 70
countries and two international organizations have called on us to support
their citizens, their diplomatic missions, and Romania has done everything in
its power to ensure their safe entry into Romania, their transit through our
country and their departure to their countries of origin.
The Government has adopted a new set of measures addressing
refugees. All Ukrainian children on Romanian territory, including those whose
families have not filed for asylum, will benefit from the right to education in
all schooling units across the country, enjoying the same rights as Romanian
school and pre-school children. They are also entitled to free-of-charge
accommodation in boarding houses, meal allowances and the right to receive
school supplies, clothing, shoes and textbooks. The measures adopted by the
Cabinet also target elderly people and people with disabilities who have
reached Romania accompanied or unaccompanied, and who will become eligible for
social welfare. Last but not least, all Ukrainians will be allowed to work in
Romania. The law package passed on Monday also stipulates measures to
facilitate Ukrainians’ access to employment, so they can have a regular source
of income. Ukrainian citizens will be able to apply for jobs without presenting
a work permit. The Government also adopted a number of measures addressing NGOs
supporting the tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. A special account has
been opened by the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, where people can
donate directly to NGOs. All donations received will be fully deductible. (VP)