The Final Local Refugee Coordination Forum in Cahul in 2025: Cooperation, Dialogue, and Shared Responsibility

The Regional Community Development Center (CRDC) recently organized the final Local Refugee Coordination Forum (LRCF) of 2025, a working and dialogue platform dedicated to coordinating the local response to the needs of refugees in the Cahul region.

LRCF forums represent an essential mechanism for interinstitutional cooperation, bringing together public institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and active refugees to jointly strengthen the safety, protection, and integration of refugees within the community.

CRDC continues its role as co-chair of the Local Refugee Coordination Forum in Cahul, alongside UNHCR Moldova, ensuring continuous coordination and open dialogue among all stakeholders involved. This role reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting participatory local solutions based on collaboration and the direct involvement of the refugee community.

The meeting brought together representatives of key institutions and organizations involved in managing the refugee situation at local and regional levels, including:

• General Inspectorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Southern Directorate,

• Border Police (IGPF),

• National Employment Agency (ANOFM),

• National Social Insurance House (CNAS),

• CDA – Center for Legal Assistance of Lawyers,

• Caritas Moldova,

• NRC – Norwegian Refugee Council,

• CRS – Catholic Relief Services,

• A.O. “Pas cu Pas – Southern Region”,

• People in Need Moldova,

• as well as active refugees from the region, who shared first-hand experiences and perspectives from their communities.

The meeting was hosted, as always, by Community Center Cahul / Общественный центр Кагул, a community space that consistently facilitates dialogue and local cooperation.

The forum agenda addressed current and priority issues for the refugee community, including:

• updates on protection and new regulations related to Temporary Protection status, valid until March 2026;

• clarifications regarding verification and prioritization within the UNHCR cash assistance programme;

• the rights of refugee children with disabilities and access to social benefits and services;