The UN supports the initiative to accelerate the transfer of people fleeing Ukraine to Romania through the Republic of Moldova, according to a statement from the UN Refugee Agency sent to Agerpres on Thursday.

The Governments of the Republic of Moldova and Romania, supported by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have implemented the transfer of people fleeing Ukraine, including third-country nationals from southern Moldova to Romania, a journey of about 230 kilometers. The first convoy left the Palanca Border Crossing Point on Thursday morning, transporting 250 refugees to Huşi, Romania.

As of Thursday, more than 300,000 people had fled Ukraine to Moldova, and 83,000 refugees remained in the country, and many more are likely to arrive if the situation in southwestern Ukraine deteriorates, the UN Refugee Agency points out.

According to the quoted source, the Romanian Government is taking “a step forward generously”, in solidarity with the Republic of Moldova, to support it in managing the reception of these refugees, who are fleeing in large numbers from Ukraine.

“We are grateful to the Governments of the Republic of Moldova and Romania, as well as to all the countries neighboring Ukraine for their prompt response and generosity,” said Lars Johan Lonnback, head of the IOM mission in Moldova.