When a person flees their country, they face many challenges. Humanitarian organizations provide support so they can cover their most basic and urgent needs. Such support is called Humanitarian assistance, the cash program is a part of it.
The cash assistance programme is managed by UNHCR through its partners Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in conjunction with Caritas Moldova and Diaconia; in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Its objective is to provide emergency cash assistance to people who fled Ukraine and are currently living in Moldova.
Hey! Humanitarian Assistance is free of charge. If a humanitarian worker asked for money, sexual favors or anything in return for your enrolment in the cash assistance program, you can submit a complaint: online form Your confidentiality will be kept!
Enroll for cash assistance
If you fled Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022, and you are currently living in Moldova, you and your family can be considered for cash assistance. You can be a Ukrainian citizen or an Ukrainian resident of other nationality.
If you are a citizen from Moldova hosting refugees, you can find more information regarding WFP cash assistance here: Cash assistance for host communities.
The first step is to approach an Enrolment Center and request to be enrolled. You will need to provide your personal data and a phone number. Afterwards, UNHCR or one of its partners will contact you by phone or SMS to provide the appointment details.
For people with disabilities and/or severe medical conditions who are unable to approach an Enrolment centre, please call: 0 800 10 823.
On the date and time of your appointment approach the Enrolment Center again. All the family members should attend, bring your documents with you. At the Center they will ask and register your personal data, including your picture and fingerprints. If you are eligible, you will receive a MAIB prepaid bank card and detailed information on the program.
You should know that UNHCR and its partners conducts in-person verifications periodically which means that you will be invited for an additional interview. It is therefore vital to keep us updated about any change of address or phone number. You can do this by calling the hotline, or by approaching a Enrollment Centers in person.
Locate an Enrolment centre
Enrolment centres are open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
1. Who is eligible for the assistance?
Families who fled Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022, can be considered for the grant. They can be Ukrainian nationals or citizens of other countries who were residing in Ukraine and are currently residing in Moldova.
Family and people with the following characteristics are eligible:
Family with one or more dependents
- Family headed by a single parent
- Family headed by a child (below 18) *
- Family with an unaccompanied or separated child
- Family headed by an older person (above 60)
- Family with one or more persons with specific needs, including:
- A person with a disability
- Pregnant woman
- Person with a serious medical condition
- Woman at risk
- Person with legal and physical protection needs
- LGBTI person
Children should be accompanied by an appointed caregiver/legal guardian.
2. Do you want to know more about how your data is processed?
Consult UNHCR’s privacy notice.
3. How do I receive my cash assistance?
Your family or head of household will receive one MAIB prepaid bank card. The card can be used free of charge for purchases in all stores and cash withdrawals in ATMs. It is valid only in Moldova.
For each payment, you will receive an SMS message notification to your mobile informing you that the cash assistance has been loaded onto your MAIB card.
Keep your information updated! In case your phone number has changed please update it by calling Cash Assistance Helpline: 0 800 10823 or approach the nearest Enrolment Centre.
All the cash payments will be deposited on the same card – KEEP YOUR CARD AND PIN SAFE!
This poster explains the cash enrolment and payment process in detail or consults answers to frequently asked questions.
4. What is a verification?
To be eligible for more payments, UNHCR and its partners conducts in person verifications. UNHCR conducts such verifications to verify that the persons remain in Moldova, and if necessary update any information on our records.
All beneficiaries will be invited by UNHCR and its partners CRS, Caritas Moldova and Diaconia for a verification interview. The head of the households will receive an SMS notification for this purpose.
The verification interview will be conducted in person with all members of family at the nearest En Enrolment Centre.
People with disabilities, limited mobility, elderly or with severe medical conditions, who are unable to approach to an Enrolment Centre, please call the Cash Assistance Helpline: 0 800 10823
After completing your verification, you will receive an SMS confirming your next payment. If you skip verification your case will be inactivated, you will not receive further payments and the money left in the card will be eventually returned to UNHCR.
5. Where are the enrolment centres located?
Enrolment Centre are open in Moldova: Chisinau, Donduseni, Balti, Ungheni, Orhei, Causeni, Cahul, from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday.
6. How much is the amount of cash assistance?
Each refugee family member is entitled to 2,200 MDL/month. The amount will be loaded to the card, based on the size of the family.
7. Do you have a complaint or feedback for us?
If you have any complaints or feedback, please send us an email at [email protected], or call the Refugee Response Green Line at 0 800 800 11.
UNHCR will inform in case of any review of the Cash Programme through public Information campaigns.
Protect yourself and your family from fraud schemes. Your personal information and identity documents should always be kept safe and confidential. Only share your personal information with trusted aid agencies and authorities when asked. Never give away your personal information on social and untrusted websites
Keep your information updated! In case your phone number has changed please update it by calling the Cash Assistance Helpline: 0 800 10823 or approach the nearest Enrolment Centre.
All humanitarian assistance provided is free of charge.