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Societatea pentru Refugiați
Moldova is the first country in Europe where the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has implemented the debit card scheme to streamline the distribution of its monthly financial support via Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
The new card scheme launched today by UNHCR, in cooperation with BCR Chisinau S.A., enables needy refugees, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection to receive convenient debit cards which they can use to withdraw the monthly support.
“UNHCR is very pleased to launch this initiative in Moldova as it enables people to withdraw funds at nearby bankomats at their convenience rather than having to commute to a central distribution point to collect the allowance,” said Peter Kessler, UNHCR’s Representative to Moldova.
“Refugees have often suffered indignities and find it difficult to integrate in a new, safe host country, but having these cards is another step toward helping them more actively participate in daily life and maintain a greater degree of dignity,” Kessler declared.
The sums being distributed by beneficiaries of the UNHCR initiative are modest, currently not more than MDL 500-600 (Euro 30-36) per person each month. Experienced aid workers including staff of the Ministry of Interior’s Refugee Directorate, UNHCR and its implementing partners meet regularly to review applications for assistance.
"I feel good because every time we have to collect money we must pay MDL 10 for city buses," said Karim Anargul, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. "Getting this card feels so good."
Asylum seekers only receive social support for six months under the UN scheme while they await their decisions, but refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection may be assisted for longer periods if they are sick, are persons with disabilities or are elderly or unemployed. One of the most important benefits is that the debit cards will also give the recipients access to bank accounts, where they may eventually save money and earn interest.
In addition to UNHCR’s monthly financial support, vulnerable refugee families may also receive food packages, milk for children, kits for new-born infants and hygienic supplies for women and girls. Many people fleeing persecution who reside in Moldova may lack the means or the capacity to support themselves and UNHCR’s assistance ensures their monthly survival.
“We are pleased to cooperate with UNHCR in order to support refugees by offering them access to banking services through debit cards. This facility will give beneficiaries all the advantages in terms of time and cost saving, as well as access to money around the clock for cash withdrawal and payments for services and products using the BCR Chisinau cards”, said Mr Sorin Andrei, CEO of BCR Chisinau S.A.
UNHCR has worked in Moldova since 1997 to help the government establish an effective asylum and refugee protection system. In addition to its supervisory role over the 1951 Refugee Convention, the agency is also responsible for the protection of stateless persons, of whom more than 2,000 are registered in Moldova.BancaComercialaRomana Chisinau S.A.: BCR Chisinau S.A. started its activity in Moldova as a universal bank in 1998 with a registered capital of MDL 24m, which has increased over the years currently reaching up to MDL 562.7m. The bank’s network comprises around five sales outlets and 34 ATMs, which serve a portfolio of more than 11,000 customers both individuals and legal entities. Sole shareholder of BCR Chisinau is BCR, member of Erste Financial Group, Austria.
For additional information you may contact UNHCR Representation in Moldova
68, A. Mateevici str., MD-2009
Tel. 27 18 53, 27 08 65 fax: 27 19 53, e-mail: mdach@unchr.org
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