The European Disability Forum, in collaboration with our partners in Moldova, namely the Moldovan Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (AODP), the Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD), the Moldovan Association of Deaf People (ASRM) and the MOTIVATIE association, organised a successful high-level event on the 31st January in Chisinau. The event was financially supported by CBM International and IOM Moldova, providing an overview of the impressive work of Moldovan Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs) to ensure the inclusion of Ukrainian with disabilities upon their arrival in Moldova. Following the war on Ukraine, more than 700 000 Ukrainians crossed the border to find refuge in the country. There is still an estimated 100 000 Ukrainians who have decided to stay for the moment in Moldova (data from UNHCR), while other have transited to other countries or went back to Ukraine. At this stage, we don’t have any data on how many people with disabilities have entered and stayed in Moldova.
The event was a first for Moldovans DPOs: they don’t tend to organise advocacy events; their daily focus being more on services for their members, such as sign interpretation, deliveries of hygiene kits and support to employment. Working together for the inclusion of Ukrainians with disabilities and speaking in a common voice proved to be successful with high levels policy makers interested to participate and present. The event received about 80 guests as well 100 more online. We welcomed distinguished guests, including Vasile Cusca, Moldovan State Secretary for Social Assistance, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection; liana Tokarieva, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Social Policy; Dorian Istratii, Deputy, Commission for Social Protection, Health and Family at the Moldovan Parliament; Tetyana Barantsova, Ukrainian Government Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Alessandro Valdambrini, Deputy Head of Unit C2 / Southern Europe and Eastern Neighbourhood at Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO); Bea Ferenci, Country Representative, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Moldova; Lars Johan Lönnback, Chief of Mission from IOM Moldova and Cecilia Chirila, Senior Programme Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They each recognised the importance for their organisation/ agencies to engage actively in supporting the disability movement during and after this war. They recognise the need to shift mindset and legislation from a medical to a human rights approach to disability, ensuring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is implemented and monitored.
We also heard powerful testimonies of Ukrainians themselves, including the poignant story of a family traveling to Moldova with their two teenagers, both with complex needs. They had to leave their wheelchairs behind and the parents carried their children to make it to Moldova. “Life has never been easy for us, but now we are at least safe” explained the mother.
Finally, DPOs shared their work, including how they rapidly engaged to help people with disabilities and their families who arrived in Moldova. The past year was extremely busy with their own daily work on pause, focusing on immediate needs, identification and recognition of disability status and social benefits. The main needs after a year for Ukrainian with disabilities are still access to food as well medications. Health care is becoming more accessible but difficult to physically reach because there is no adapted transportation. More information about EDF work with our partners in Moldova will be available soon on our website, including our latest report called “From Ukraine to Moldova: the journey of refugees with disabilities and their families” (available in March 2023).
Author: Marion Steff, EDF International Cooperation Manager – marion.steff@edf-feph.org
For more information about our Ukraine programme, contact Gordon Rattray, Programme Coordinator: gordon.rattray@edf-feph.org