Volunteer to Support Ukrainian Refugees in Moldova

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moldova finds itself at the epicenter of the refugee crisis. There are more refugees in Moldova per capita than any of the surrounding countries. The people of Moldova are accepting refugees into their homes and doing everything they can to support this desperate situation.

United Planet is seeking volunteers to support Ukrainian refugees, primarily women and children, în Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. United Planet volunteers will support local organizations in Moldova at the forefront of the refugee crisis. These organizations are providing life support and assisting with relocation and training.

United Planet’s Moldova Volunteer Abroad program won the Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program award two years in a row (2022 and 2023) from GoAbroad.com.

Moldova is a landlocked nation in Eastern Europe, located between Romania and the Ukraine. In this small and beautiful country, Romanian and Russian influences meet creating a fascinating environment for culture lovers. Despite an economic growth rate of 8%, the country still has the undesired title of the poorest in Europe. Volunteers in Moldova can help by making a positive contribution to the plight of Ukrainian refugees flooding into Moldova.

United Planet works closely with a non-profit, non-governmental organization in Moldova which engages volunteers at a national and international level in the fields of education, culture, ecology, historical heritage protection and helping disadvantaged people, thus contributing to the development of a more peaceful and just society.

United Planet is currently working with refugee support centers in Chișinău, Moldova. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers and interns are needed. Volunteers work in refugee support centers that provide temporary housing or daytime services, along with a diverse range of services to Ukrainian refugees. Support is needed with relocation, administrative, and hands on physical work. Healthcare volunteers and trauma psychologists are also needed.

English language skills are sufficient for these privately run NGOs. Speakers of Russian or Ukrainian also have the opportunity to work with government run shelters. Volunteer duties will be assigned based on highest priority needs at the time of deployment.

A Moldovan nonprofit created to support children and the elderly with a dynamic team assisted by volunteers from different countries.  The organization has a rich history of serving those in need of help and hope.  Generally volunteers are needed for administrative support, fundraising, social media, community engagement, storytelling as well as helping with food packages, food preparation,  refugee reception support, activities with youth, relocation and employment research for refugees.

Available Dates: Starting weekly (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday arrival)
Minimum Stay: 2 weeks; 4 weeks highly recommended
Requirements: Russian, Ukrainian, or Romanian are helpful, but not required; English is required; At least 18 years old.

A rehabilitation and support center for refugees, during a crisis and a center for the rehabilitation of victims of inhumane and/or degrading treatment, with a 20+ year history.  Volunteers work alongside the organization to aid through medical, social, legal, and integration support to improve the health, quality of life, integrity, and self-respect of beneficiaries. The center works to safeguard beneficiaries and collaborate with other centers to provide holistic support.  This center is handling 5-7 times its normal capacity during the current Ukrainian refugee crisis.

Volunteers with specialized skills as well as those generally able to assist are needed..  Generally volunteers can support administrative functions, reporting, processing, fundraising, social media, community engagement, storytelling, and more.  Skilled and experienced volunteers can support as well in the areas of health and trauma.

Available Dates: Starting weekly (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday arrival)
Minimum Stay: 2 weeks; 4 weeks highly recommended
Requirements: Russian, Ukrainian, or Romanian are helpful, but not required; English is required; At least 18 years old.

Refugee Center founded by Afghan refugees over 20 years ago working together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Bureau of Migration and Asylum of the Republic of Moldova.  This center supports the integration of refugees and asylum-seekers through community-based activities, employment and relocation support, and diverse areas of advocacy.  General volunteers are needed in administrative support, fundraising, social media, community engagement, storytelling, photography as well visiting refugee centers and helping with food and supply packages.

Available Dates: Starting weekly (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday arrival)
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Requirements: Russian, Ukrainian, or Romanian are helpful, but not required; English is required; At least 18 years old.

A large refugee placement center that is the second largest temporary shelter in Moldova.  Within days of the crisis, more than 3,400 people were accommodated there and currently there are about 700 Ukrainian citizens, including more than 400 children.  The shelter provides temporary placement, relocation support, legal support, and activities for the residents, including children.  Volunteers’ activities might include: assistance with coordination within the shelter, assistance with processing and documentation, database development, relocation support (enrolling refugees in flights and transport), etc.

Available Dates: Starting weekly (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday arrival)
Minimum Stay: 2 weeks; 4 weeks highly recommended
Requirements: Russian, Ukrainian, or Romanian are helpful, but not required; English is required; At least 18 years old.