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Richard Verma (USA): We grant support for Ukraine as long as it is necessary
The support for Ukraine will be granted ‘as long as it is necessary’ the US Assistant Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma stated on Friday.
He was present together with the US ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec at the UNHCR Centre in Romexpo, where the Ukrainians who fled the country because of the war benefit from assistance.
The US official highlighted the joint effort of the Romanian government, international government agencies such as UNHCR and UNICEF and citizens to help those who have fled their country because of the war. He added that Romanians "took action" and helped the Ukrainians who left their country by welcoming them into their homes, helping them to continue their education or to get a job.
‘From the US point of view, from the president, to the State Secretary and below, we are here to show our support as long as it is needed. We grant aid and support to the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian people and we will continue to do it, but we also support all people affected. We alone we could not do what UNHCR, the Romanian government did – these things were heroic, they were a model of collaboration and we hope this unjust war finishes soon, and the people can go back to their homes, where they want to be’ Verma said.
In his turn, the representative of the UN Agency for Refugees in Romania, Pablo Zapata qualified as ‘exemplary’ the way in which the government in Bucharest supported the Ukrainians.
The officials discussed, at the Romexpo centre with the Ukrainians who came for assistance. ‘One of the refugees from Ukraine told me that he considered the Romanians as their guarding angels. Today we heard stories which confirmed this’ the US ambassador said that.
In her turn, the governmental adviser Madalina Turza mentioned that our country was transited by over four million Ukrainians since the beginning of the war. Out of these, almost one 100,000 remained in Romania.
Turza mentioned the legislative amendments made to support the refugees remaining in our country. This support will be conditioned by the proof that the beneficiaries have a workplace in Romania or they have children enrolled in school here.
"We are glad that we are starting to see Ukrainians in the workforce (...) we want them to be independent in our country," said Madalina Turza.
At the Romexpo centre, the Ukrainian citizens benefit from advice on obtaining temporary protection in the EU and receive information and support on bureaucratic details in Romania, including applying for government financial support, enrolling children in school, accessing medical services, looking for a job.
According to UNHCR Romania, over 132,000 Ukrainians benefit from temporary protection in our country, over 42,000 of them being in Bucharest. Approximately 19,000 Ukrainians benefitted from financial assistance on the part of the Romanian state in 2023. Starting with May, the UN Agency for Refugees in Romania supports 35,000 vulnerable Ukrainian citizens with a sum of 568 lei per person, to ensure transition from the present governmental support programme to the one established by the new legislation.
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