Moldova

The Context

Moldova hosts more Ukrainian refugees per capita than any other country. More than 1 million Ukrainians have crossed the border since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Today, more than 148,000 remain, waiting for the war to end and navigating the hardship of displacement. The mental health impacts for refugees have been severe and the local Moldovan health system was already strained and under-resourced before the war in Ukraine. Now, health workers need support so they can properly care for their communities.

Our Impact

Health System Strengthening 

Project HOPE is improving access to health care in rural areas of Moldova and laying the groundwork for a more resilient and higher-quality health system.

Through a comprehensive program, our team in Moldova continues to equip primary health care centers in Ștefan Vodă, Florești, and Telenești districts with essential medical supplies, modern equipment, training programs, and mobile medical units to make sure that those who need care are able to access it. Each mobile medical unit is composed of a family doctor, nurse, psychologist, and driver, enabling effective delivery of home-based primary health services, including palliative care and pre/post-natal check-ups. These teams have since reached more than 4,000 patients who may not have otherwise been able to access care.

Supporting Refugee Children and Families  

From 2022 to 2025, Project HOPE’s work in Moldova also connected thousands of refugees and host community members with critical mental health, social integration support, and medical assistance

With our local partner, The Moldova Project, Project HOPE previously helped establish nine child-friendly safe spaces to provide play spaces, education, mental health, and integration services for Ukrainian children, parents, and caregivers. These playrooms have supported over 9,000 Ukrainian refugees and host community members and continue to serve the needs of families in vulnerable positions. Project HOPE continues to partner with The Moldova Project on social cohesion and mental health initiatives.

Previously, in partnership with Casa Marioarei, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence, Project HOPE helped organize social cohesion activities to facilitate communication, interaction, and faster integration of Ukrainian refugees into their new community. Children participated in group activities like games, sports, movies, and interactive classes, and adults were provided with access to vocational training in skills like tailoring, sewing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, weaving, jewelry-making, and more.

Project HOPE also previously partnered with the Regina Pacis Foundation to set up a holistic assistance center for Ukrainian refugees and vulnerable families in Moldova, which provided medical and psychological assistance, referrals to health services, and information on how to access education services, asylum procedures, and employment. In 2023, the medical team provided 1,178 primary medical consultations.