Moldova begs for help with families

ONE in eight children in Moldova are refugees, according to the prime minister Natalia Gavrilita.

Almost 200,000 people have arrived in the country since the start of the war in Ukraine.

It is reportedly taking in more Ukrainians per head than anywhere else in Europe, but the country’s leaders have pleaded for help from the European Union after saying that their refugee system was on the brink of collapse.

It is predicted that President Putin’s new target will be Ukraine’s third city, Odessa, just 30 miles from the Moldovan border.

Intelligence sources fear Russian forces could descend on Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway state in east Moldova, which could give Putin an opportunity to take over the rest of the country. The EU is to begin formally assessing applications from Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to join the bloc.

Ambassadors from EU nations triggered the move, asking the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, to offer its thoughts on the requests, which have been rushed in recent weeks.

Daniel Walden, of the UK Committee for Unicef, the children’s charity, said: ‘In response to the dramatic escalation of humanitarian need, Unicef has reactivated “Blue Dot” safe spaces for people seeking refuge from Ukraine.

‘For those who have walked or travelled for hours these Blue Dot zones will provide the much-needed respite and access to essential services as they continue on their journey to safety and security.’