With the onset of winter and the attacks on Ukraine’s energy supply system, there is a possibility of a further wave of refugees needing assistance in Moldova. The Dizabilitate:Solidaritate partnership has organised a high-level roundtable to provide an opportunity for representatives of the Moldovan government and civil society, as well as the humanitarian agencies and donors to learn from the experiences of refugees with disabilities – and of the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) who support them
The roundtable will:
- Launch a report on the experiences of refugees from Ukraine with disabilities who transited through or settled in Moldova
- Highlight barriers faced by refugees from Ukraine with disabilities in accessing the services and supports they need
- Provide an opportunity to discuss ways of ensuring the humanitarian response becomes more inclusive of persons with disabilities.
The event take place in Chisinau, Moldova, and on Zoom.
Agenda
Please be aware that the agenda is set in Bucharest time (GMT+2)
10.00 – 10.30 (09.00 – 09.30 CET): Opening of the event. Welcome speeches.
- Igor Grosu, The Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova– to be confirmed
- Cristina Martinez Gallego, International Aid / Cooperation Officer – Team Leader for Ukraine, Western Balkans and South Caucasus, humanitarian desk Ukraine, European Commission (online)
- Uliana Tokarieva, Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine (online)
- Lars Johan Lönnback, Chief of Mission, IOM Moldova
- Bea Ferenci, Country Representative, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Moldova
- Cecilia Chirila, Senior Programme Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR
10.30 – 11.00 (09.30 – 10.00 CET): The experience of Ukrainian refugees with disabilities: From Ukraine to Moldova
Moderator: Mihaela Gherasim
- Alina Sorochina, refugee with disabilities from Ukraine
- Valentina Nedorezova, refugee with disabilities from Ukraine
- Marina Gagarina, refugee with disabilities from Ukraine
11.00 – 11.30 (10:00 – 10.30 CET): Ukrainian refugees with disabilities crisis: needs and response
- Ludmila Iachim, Executive Director, Association “MOTIVATIE” from Moldova
- Vitalie Mester, Executive Director, Centre for Disability Rights in Moldova (CDPD)
- Galina Climov, Executive Director, Alliance of Disability Organisations from Moldova (AOPD)
- Ruslan Lopatiuc, President, Association of Deaf People in Moldova (ASRM)
11.30 – 12.00 (10.30 – 11.00 CET): Ukrainian refugees with disabilities crisis response – lessons learned and recommendations
- Otilia Sirbu, Expert – Ukrainian refugees with disabilities access to Healthcare, Income and Shelter in Moldova, briefing notes;
- Valerian Tabirta, Expert – Journey to a new place of people with disabilities and their families members, Ukraine – Moldova, study report;
- Ludmila Malcoci (Director exectuiv Keystone Moldova, Co – coordinator Disability Task Force Moldova) – Disability Task Force in supporting refugees with disabilities in Ukraine
- Ion Ciubotarica, Expert (CDPD) – The needs of Ukrainian refugees with disabilities, study report
12.00 – 12.30 (11.00 – 11.30 CET): Discussions, Questions and conclusions
Accessibility
During the event sign language interpretation and translation in English, Ukrainian and Romanian will be provided
Disability:Solidarity is a programme of cooperation between the European Disability Forum (EDF), the Moldovan Association of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, the Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD), the Moldovan Association of Deaf People (ASRM) and the MOTIVATIE Association, Moldova, supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the CBM Foundation.