NATO battle group in Romania | Financial aid for Romanians hosting Ukrainians | Suceava humanitarian hub receives French aid convoys | Earth Hour marked in the country
As the war in Ukraine entered the second month, the Romanian Government passed an ordinance providing financial aid to individuals who host Ukrainian refugees and France sent two aid convoys to Ukraine through the humanitarian hub set up…
Simona Fodor · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
As the war in Ukraine entered the second month, the Romanian Government passed an ordinance providing financial aid to individuals who host Ukrainian refugees and France sent two aid convoys to Ukraine through the humanitarian hub set up in Suceava, in northeastern Romania. At the same time, it was confirmed that Romania would host a NATO battle group as the alliance decided to strengthen its Eastern Flank. More of the March 21-March 27 week's highlights in photos below.
Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war continued to arrive in the country, adding to 562,942 refugees who have entered Romania since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, according to March 27 data from the Border Police. Most of them are only transiting the country on their way to other destinations in Western Europe, with around 80,000 Ukrainian citizens choosing to stay in Romania by March 21.
To support those who have hosted or are hosting refugees from Ukraine, the Romanian Government approved last week a package of financial assistance. For each person hosted, individuals will be able to receive RON 20 per day for food expenses and RON 50 per day for accommodation. Hotels and other accommodation facilities have also been included in this scheme.
The money will be given to "individuals, volunteers, Romanians who, without necessarily waiting for a decision from the authorities, rushed from the very first day to open their doors, welcome Ukrainian neighbors and friends, into their homes," Government spokesperson Dan Cărbunaru explained.
The EU civil protection hub set up in Suceava, in northeastern Romania, that is managing the direct aid to Ukraine, received two French aid convoys over the weekend. A total of 50 intervention vehicles, 21 ambulances, and 49 tonnes of equipment were delivered to the Ukrainian side. The operation, France's first contribution to the humanitarian hub, was organized by the French Interior Affairs Ministry's Department for Civil Security and Crisis Management and the French Foreign Affairs Ministry's Crisis and Aid Center.
Meanwhile, Bucharest joined other European cities in protests against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The "December 21, 1989" Association held a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest on Sunday, March 27, with Ukrainian refugees participating as well.
