On the eve of winter holidays, the Charity Centre for Refugees organized a beautiful celebration for children

On December the 26^th 2012, in the festivity hall of the CCR, dozens of children with their parents gathered together awaiting for Santa Claus and their well-deserved presents. At the event were present such important guests as Mrs. E. Silvestru, Deputy Director of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum, Mr. Peter Kessler, UNHCR Representative in Moldova, as well as our colleagues from UNHCR office and other NGOs partner. Before starting the program, guests addressed to all those present with the warmest greetings and sincere good wishes for the new coming year.

The Charity Centre for Refugees in Moldova brings smiles and moments of joy for children hospitalized at the Oncology hospital from Chisinau 

On the eve of winter holidays everyone, but especially children, are waiting for something beautiful, for a miracle and for Santa, who brings gifts for everybody. The most expected holidays are usually celebrated with the family, with the dearest people, in a warm and loving atmosphere. There are, unfortunately, children that are not able to enjoy this pleasant moments, as are, for example, the children hospitalized at the Oncology hospital from Chisinau, suffering from various malignant diseases. For this reason, CCR, together with the BMA, in particular with Mrs. Ecaterina Silvestru, the deputy director of BMA and Refugee Directorate Director, have decided to organize a charity action and to visite those children in order to offer them small gifts and at least a few hours of entertainment.

CCR participation at the 16th edition of the Winter Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Club of Moldova

The sixteenth edition of the Charity Fair organized by the International Women's Club of Moldova took place Saturday, December 8th at the exhibition Centre "Moldexpo".

This year the event was attended by diplomatic missions accredited in our country, international and local charity organizations and crafts masters. During the Charity Bazaar the visitors had the opportunity to go on a trip around the world discovering interesting things, firstly cuisine and culture of the countries attending the event - Turkey, Germany, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Russia, Romania, Lithuania, Belarus etc.. Another important detail was holiday gifts, souvenirs, sweets, handicrafts and hand-made works. With no doubt, at the event was also present Santa Claus in his small village from Lapland and the money raised from the event will be used for charitable causes in Moldova.

Exhibition at the Migrant Accommodation Centre from Chisinau

On November 8, 2012, Observatory Mechanism Monitoring Visit, held since 2009 twice a year with the purpose of assessment of standards conformity and quality control at MAC in the sphere of assistance to migrants and protection of their rights in compliance with international standards, was held at the Temporary Accommodation Center (TAC) in Chisinau.

Halloween celebration at the CCR

Halloween is a modern holiday which history began in the present Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is celebrated on the 31^st October, on the eve of All Saints. Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the English-speaking countries, but in the late twentieth century, tradition of celebrating Halloween has appeared in the most of other European and CIS countries.

  In the evening of October 31^st 2012, at the Charity Centre for Refugees gathered more than 50 people in order to celebrate this fun holiday with unusual traditions for our country. For several years, CCR closely collaborates with European Voluntary Service (EVS) and the Peace Corps, and volunteers working at CCR are actively involved in organizing various events.

United Nations Day celebration at Nisporeni

On the 24^th October 2012, at Nisporeni was held the celebration of the 67^th anniversary of the United Nations and 20 years of its activity in Moldova. On this day, with the support of the UN and the Swedish government was launched a project for street lighting in Nisporeni and three other communities in the area, in order to strengthen the local autonomy within the Joint Integrated Local Development Program.

UNHCR Moldova organized an informative sessions for its beneficiaries on Family Aspects

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Moldova, organizes annually, for its beneficiaries, a training on family issues such as violence, drug addiction / alcohol, HIV / AIDS. Being already a tradition, this year the informative session was held at the Reception Center for Asylum Seekers on October the 20th. The event was attended by refugees, asylum seekers, beneficiaries of humanitarian protection as well as by representatives of UNHCR Moldova and NGOs partners. As guests of honor, the UNHCR Regional Representative Mr. Oldrich Andrysek, Representative of UNHCR Moldova, Mr. Peter Kessler and Mrs. Ecaterina Silvestru, Director of Refugee Directorate, vice-director of BMA.

The 12th edition of the Festival of Ethnicities

Saturday, September 15, in the Stefan cel Mare Public Garden, the Bureau of Interethnic Relations with the support of the Chisinau Mayoralty held the Republican Festival of ethnicities entitled “Unity through diversity”. The festival has reached its 12th edition and about 40 ethno cultural organizations, including the Charity Centre for Refugees, participated there. It aims to help integrate representatives of different ethnic groups by harnessing the traditions and the ancestral customs.

Excursion to the Scientific Reserve “Codrii”

Saturday, on the 25^th August 2012, at 9am, the Charity Centre for Refugees organized an excursion to the Scientific Reserve "Codrii", located near the village Lozova, Straseni district. The trip was attended by more than 50 persons, including refugee children and CCR staff, which were transported by a bus ordered by CCR. 

"Codrii" is the oldest reserve in Moldova, founded in 1971 which occupies an area of ​​5177 ha. The relief is crossed by numerous valleys and ravines. The natural reserve amazes with the multitude of forms and species, many of which are categorized as rare and endangered.

CCR combined the IFTAR feast with an entertaining evening for children

On August the 10th, at 5pm, at the initiative of Mr. Ray Taheri, lecturer at the University of British Columbia, and with the support of CCR, it was organized an entertaining evening for children with a diversified program. Mr. Taheri originates from Iran, the fact that do not allow him to be indifferent to refugees, many of whom are also coming from the Eastern countries.

Due to the fact that it was the month of Ramadan, CCR decided to combine the evening with the celebration of IFTAR, which refers to the evening meal when Muslims are breaking their fast during the Ramadan, i.e. the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

2012 AGDM Participatory Assessment

Every year UNHCR, in cooperation with its main implementing and operational partners, conducts a comprehensive Age Gender Diversity Mainstreaming Participatory Assessment which is a process aimed at better assessing the situation of refugees, beneficiaries of humanitarian protection and stateless persons through a structured dialogue with persons of concern - women, men and children of different ages and backgrounds. It was decided that this year the focus group will be composed by asylum seekers and the main topics of discussions were decided to be the quality of services provided by UNHCR, NGOs, Government and the treatment of a/s by these Organizations and discrimination.

Table Tennis Tournament dedicated 

to the World Refugee Day          

         On the occasion of World Refugee Day, which is marked annually on June the 20th, it was  organized a table tennis tournament. 
         The initiative came from the part of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and aims to contribute to the integration of refugees into the local society. The competition was attended by teams from the UNHCR, IOM, NGOs' "Charity Center for Refugees ", " Law Centre of Advocates ", " AVE Copiii " and from governmental institutions - ministries, state companies, embassies, etc.. In total, the competition was attended by approximately 100 people, including 22 women and it was organized at the State University Specialized Table Tennis Arena. The match was played after the Olympic system, which means that the one who lose is out of competition.

Refugees will receive apartments in the framework of the EU and UNHCR project

Refugees will receive apartments in the framework of the EU and UNHCR project

Chisinau, Moldova, June 12 (UNHCR) - four apartments rebuilt to accommodate refugees who left their country of origin as a result of human rights abuse and conflicts in their home countries, were offered today to the local authorities from Rezeni, Ialoveni, by the UNHCR, as a result of extensive renovation work in the framework of the Local Integration Project funded by EU and co-funded by UNHCR.

Refugee families from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Palestine received their keys at the official event. The Mayor from Rezeni, Mr. Ion Cretu, was the host for the Deputy Minister Ana Vasilachi (the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection), Deputy Minister Iurie Cheptanaru (Ministry of Interior), European Union Ambassador, Dirk Schubel and other officials.

International Children’s Day Celebration

On 1^st of June, the Chisinau Municipal Directorate for Children’s Rights’ Protection, with the support of International Organization for Migration, CCR and AVE Copiii NGOs as well as some diplomatic missions organized the celebration dedicated to the International Children’s Day in “Nasterea Domnului” Cathedral square.

At the event participated 70 children of refugee families with their parents, among other 1500 orphan and left without parental custody children. At the concert organized for the young people evolved talented children and local stars, as well as the young dancer Alvina, whose father is from India, and whose Indian dance impressed everyone present.

Using the tickets offered by CCR, the refugee children could enjoy free ice cream, sweets, juice, and a travel with the little train.

Refugiaţi în Republica Moldova necesită mai multă asistenţă pentru integrare

CHIŞINĂU, 30 mai 2012 - Potrivit unui studiu lansat de către Înaltului Comisariat al Naţiunilor Unite pentru Refugiaţi (UNHCR), refugiaţii în Republica Moldova doresc să lucreze legal şi să devină indepedenţi economic, însă solicită mai multă implicare din partea agenţiilor guvernamentale şi a ONU pentru a le promova integrarea locală.  

Refugiatii îşi părăsesc ţările de origine din cauza persecutării pe motiv de rasă, religie, naţionalitate, apartenenţă la un anumit grup social, opinii politice sau din cauza unor calamităţi, cum ar fi conflictul armat. Odată ce refugiaţii găsesc protecţie într-o ţară străină, aceştea deseori se confruntă cu mai multe dificultăţi în obţinerea asistenţei.

Refugees in Moldova need more integration assistance

CHISINAU, 30^th May 2012 – Refugees in the Republic of Moldova want to work legally and become self-sufficient but seek more involvement on the part of government agencies and the UN to promote their local integration, according to a study released by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Refugees flee their homelands due to persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, political opinion or serious upheaval like war. Once they find protection in a foreign country they often may face problems obtaining assistance.

International family Day at Chisinau

International family Day at Chisinau

On May the 15th, at the International Family day, the Municipal Directorate for Children's Right Protection organized the a celebration with the generic: "The family creates values, the values create the family", held at the "Ginta Latina"Art and Culture Center. This is the forth edition of the Festival dedicated to the World Family Day.

The guests attending the event, Mr. Cornel Tarus, Head of Family and Child Protection Department, within the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and Mrs. Svetlana Chifa, the Head of Municipal Direction for Children's Right Protection, addressed greeting words to all the families present in the hall, wishing them happiness and many joy from the loved ones.

The Europe Day celebrated in Chisinau
Already during several years, traditionally, the Mayoralty of Chisinau Municipality with the European Union delegation, organizes Europe Day in Moldova. Held at the Great National Assembly, this feast has united thousands of Chisinau residents eager to taste the multicultural diversity of European countries.
The European feast was attended also by persons from other continents like Africa and Asia. Here are considered the UNHCR beneficiaries- refugees, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection- which were supported by the NGOs Implementing Partners of UNHCR, especially by CCR, which always is getting involved in various cultural, educational and entertainment activities with the help of refugees.

State Flag Day celebration at TAC

At the CCR initiative and with the support of UNHCR implementing Partners, on 27 April this year, at the TAC, it was organised a Round Table on Moldovan Flag Day.

The TAC Director, Mr. Igor Prodan, congratulated all those present with the Flag Day and mentioned to all the TAC residents that one of the obligations of persons applying for Moldovan citizenship is to know the Constitution and the history of the host country, while the perspective of learning the local culture and customs by the foreigners is welcomed by the natives.

The Easter Holiday Light entered the houses and the souls of refugees
Although they have different faiths and they are from different places of the globe, the refugees and their children, every year are celebrating, together with all Christendom,  the brightest and the most awaited day of the year- the Easter Holiday.
The beautiful initiative, which has already become a tradition, belongs to the CCR, which, with the support of UNHCR and Ave Copiii organized this celebration.
In the festive hall of CCR came almost all the UNHCR beneficiaries- the elderly, families and children, i.e. refugees, asylum seekers and the beneficiaries of humanitarian protection, for whom it was organized a show were took part adults and children.

Four apartments for refugees provided by the EU and UNHCR Chisinau, Moldova, 23rd March (UNHCR)- the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provided today four apartments to the local authorities from Mereni, Anenii Noi district, which were rebuilt in order to host refugees, in the framework of the Local Integration Program cofunded by EU/UNHCR.

Four apartments for refugees provided by the EU and UNHCR

Chisinau, Moldova, 23rd March (UNHCR)- the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provided today four apartments to the local authorities from Mereni, Anenii Noi district, which were rebuilt in order to host refugees, in the framework of the Local Integration Program cofunded by EU/UNHCR.

The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Mihai Moldovanu and the Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Valentina Buliga, with the EU Ambassador Dirk Schubel. The Mayor of Mereni, Eugen Salcutan and the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Migration, Head af Refugee Directorate, Ecaterina Silvestru.

8th March celebrated by refugees women

On the International Women's Day, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) and Ave Copiii (AV), non-governmental organizations,  implementing partners of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation  in Moldova, organized for their beneficiaries, a great party. Artistic numbers, presented especially by men, have been supported by direct competition of refugees ladies, who were met with flowers and gifts.

Noting that this day became a nice tradition for the organizers and beneficiaries of UNHCR, Djavid Paknehad, CCR Director, congratulated all the women with the wonderful occasion: "Be loved, desired, respected and always in the lead! I wish that all your accomplishments and achievements so far  would be a good sign for you and the smiles and spirit of this holiday to accompany you everywhere. Let the spring bring you love and flood you the soul with the fragrance of its flowers! "

New computers–new opportunities for refugees

On 23 February, current, at the Charity Center for Refugees (CCR) took place the official opening of the computer classroomfor refugees.

Mr. Peter Kessler, Representative of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Chisinau and Mr. Djavid Paknehad, Director and project coordinator of CCR, officiated the opening of the “Volunteers computer classroom” by cutting the red ribbon. 

After submitting the project, with the UNHCR support, addressed to Microsoft and Hewlett Packard companies, which have shown interest in refugees’ problems, CCR won 15 new computers of high performance.

The event has a great importance both for the organizers, who implemented the project, and for refugees who have desired for a long time to have computers. Now you have internet access and you can communicate with relatives and friends from your origin country every time you need, but also with your new friends that you have or which you will make here in Moldova – said Mr. Kessler

Refugees will be treated with more attention by journalists

             

On January 31, at the initiative of the High Commissioner for Refugees UN (UNHCR) in Moldova and Indepentent Journalism Center (IJC), was held a joint meeting of UNHCR's implementing partners with a group of students from Advanced School of Journalism .

The participants - representatives of NGOs Ave Copiii, Society for Refugees and Charity Center for Refugees , accompanied by two refugees - have made ​​a review of the work undertaken with the support of UNHCR in Moldova on behalf of asylum seekers, refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection. 

The first meeting in 2012 of the National Committee for Cooperation of the Local Integration of Refugees Project (Phase II)

On January 19th, it was held the first meeting of the National Coordination Committee  of the Local Integration Project in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine (LIP), Phase II. The meeting held at the Refugee Directorate within the Bureau of Migration and Asylum, was attended by representatives of relevant government institutions, NGOs and international organisations.

The purpose of the meeting was the presentation of the LIP activities to be completed during the second phase in the period January 2012 - December 2013 . 

In the opening, Mrs. Catherine Sylvester, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Migration and Asylum, Head of Refugee Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, said she was optimistic about the second phase of the project, with the conviction that it will perform works including finishing apartment buildings for refugees started in the first phase.