Armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in 2014 after Russia invaded Crimea in southern Ukraine and, later that year, the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The conflict escalated in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine, resulting in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 12 September 2023, over 86,000 refugees from Ukraine remain in Romania. Overall, more than 140,000 people had applied for temporary protection.
Romania is also a transit country for many fleeing conflict; some Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians have crossed through Romania to travel to other countries or go back to their countries of origin. Refugees are residing in host communities, and most of them are women. They need cash and livelihood assistance aside from protection, education, and healthcare services. Remittances, social benefits, and humanitarian cash assistance are considered the main sources of income for refugees.
For a regional overview of the legal situation of refugees from Ukraine and access to essential services, please read our latest report.
(Atlantic Council 14/02/2023,
OCHA 28/12/2022, UNHCR accessed 12/09/2023, IOM 13/12/2022, REACH, UNHCR 18/01/2023)
Armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in 2014 after Russia invaded Crimea in southern Ukraine and, later that year, the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The conflict escalated in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine, resulting in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 12 September 2023, over 86,000 refugees from Ukraine remain in Romania. Overall, more than 140,000 people had applied for temporary protection.
Romania is also a transit country for many fleeing conflict; some Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians have crossed through Romania to travel to other countries or go back to their countries of origin. Refugees are residing in host communities, and most of them are women. They need cash and livelihood assistance aside from protection, education, and healthcare services. Remittances, social benefits, and humanitarian cash assistance are considered the main sources of income for refugees.
For a regional overview of the legal situation of refugees from Ukraine and access to essential services, please read our latest report.
(Atlantic Council 14/02/2023,
OCHA 28/12/2022, UNHCR accessed 12/09/2023, IOM 13/12/2022, REACH, UNHCR 18/01/2023)
