Population figures
Total country population
19,618,996
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
166,849
Asylum-seekers:
629
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
179
Country context
Romania, located in Central Europe, shares borders with Ukraine and Moldova, which has positioned it as a key host for refugees, particularly in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The country has welcomed over 3 million refugees, primarily from Ukraine, following the escalation of hostilities in 2022.
Romania adopted a national framework for the protection and inclusion of refugees, offering protection to Ukrainian nationals under the Temporary Protection (TP) Directive. Refugees from Ukraine, especially women and children, are primarily accommodated in private housing, though some reside in facilities like student dormitories and community centers. The 50/20 housing program, which financially supports hosts of Ukrainian refugees, continues to be a critical part of the response.
...Romania has introduced several legislative measures to facilitate the integration of refugees, granting them the same rights as Romanian citizens in areas such as healthcare, education, and employment. Despite these efforts, refugees face challenges in integration, particularly due to bureaucratic obstacles, language barriers, and limited support for recognition of foreign qualifications.
The country has implemented a multi-purpose cash assistance program to support vulnerable refugees, and the government has set up a framework for medical inclusion, but gaps in service provision remain. Education access is another area of concern, with language barriers and a lack of teaching staff impacting refugee children’s school enrolment and integration into the national education system.
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