Mehl: ‘The first refugees from Moldova may arrive next week’
Press release | No: 64/22 | Date: 31/03/2022 | Ministry of Justice and Public Security
Moldova has asked Norway and a number of European countries for help to receive displaced Ukrainians, and the Norwegian Government will be transferring 2 500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova.
‘The Norwegian Government has worked to begin the transfer of refugees from Moldova as quickly as possible, and the first refugees may arrive next week. Norway has asked the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to draw up a list of people who can be transferred, and the UNHCR has confirmed that it has begun working on this. However, there may be delays,’ says Minister of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl.
Since the Norwegian Government made the decision to collect refugees from Moldova, it has worked with other European countries on the practical arrangements. Norway will be receiving people with disabilities, pregnant women, women with young children or many children, and other vulnerable people.
‘We need to make sure that we help vulnerable people and that we know who we are bringing to Norway. We need to be certain of the identities of all people we bring here,’ states Ms Mehl.
The police are working on the practical aspects of the transfers, including organising transport. The Norwegian Police Immigration Service will assist in the process, in collaboration with the Moldovan authorities.