BUCHAREST, 8 July 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Korea has provided 550,000 USD to UNICEF for the protection and education of Ukrainian children living in Romania. 

Two years after the onset of the Ukraine crisis, more than 45,000 Ukrainian children are registered in Romania national system.  The funding provided by the Republic of Korea will help refugee children and adolescents from Ukraine have sustained access to education and learning opportunities, including early childhood education and care, and to effectively transition to mainstream Romanian education system.

Since the first months of the refugee crisis, the Republic of Korea, was among the first international partners to demonstrate solidarity with the Ukrainian Refugees in Romani

a, donating 1 million USD in 2022 to strengthen the support UNICEF offers to the Government of Romania in response to the Ukraine refugee crisis. With support from the Republic of Korea and other partners, UNICEF has responded to the first waves of the crisis, setting up multi-service centers (“Blue dots”) on the borders and in main cities.

The donation will ensure that:

• ●500 children are supported through facilitated access to school enrolment, education hubs and learning materials.

• ●150 teachers and educators will acquire the knowledge and skills to ensure the protection and facilitate the effective integration of refugee children.

• ●100 children will also benefit of adequate care and protection within the childcare system.

• ●400 Ukrainian children separated from families will benefit from integrated, community-based services in two counties.

“The government of the Republic of Korea is keenly aware of the sufferings of the Ukrainian people and have made continuous contributions in diversified ways to stand in solidarity with them. We are pleased to work with UNICEF, a trusted partner with leading expertise in this field, to support the protection and education of Ukrainian children living in Romania, which must be guaranteed even in the most difficult times. The Korean government will continue to support the efforts of the international community to protect those most vulnerable to violence and unstable living condition including Ukrainian children,” said H.E. Mr. Rim Kap-soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Romania.

“We thank the Republic of Korea for its essential and constant support, in a solid partnership benefiting the vulnerable children living in Romania and are grateful for this generous contribution allowing us to continue and expand our support to the Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. UNICEF will work with its partners in central government and line ministries, but also local authorities in local councils to support refugee children, their parents and thew whole educational and protection sectors”, said Anna Riatti, UNICEF Representative in Romania.