UNHCR Romania Ukraine Refugee Situation Update - 18 May 2026

Countries: Romania, Ukraine Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Highlights On 12 May, UNHCR Representative Pablo Zapata addressed a group of 35 diplomats from EU countries participating in a study visit under the auspices of the European External Action Service hosted by the Romanian Diplomatic Institute. Addressing the panel on “Multilateral Support for Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine”, UNHCR Representative Pablo Zapata reflected on the solidarity shown by communities across Romania since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine: “In February 2022, Romanians went to the border to welcome refugees from Ukraine. They chose not only to follow the news, but to become part of it.” He also highlighted UNHCR’s role, alongside national authorities, civil society and international partners, in supporting refugees and host communities throughout the response. On 14 May, three recipients of UNHCR business grants provided in 2025 presented their activities to the Embassy of Japan at UNHCR’s Community Centre for refugees at RomExpo in Bucharest. The supported businesses are located in Cluj, Iași and Bucharest, and include the production of interactive children’s books, an online jewellery store, and tourism services for the Ukrainian community. The entrepreneurship programme, which provided a total of 10 grants of RON 30,000 (US$ 6,700) each, enabled forcibly displaced persons to rebuild their lives in Romania by developing sustainable livelihoods. In addition to financial assistance to start or expand their businesses, participants benefited from workshops, counselling sessions and training aimed at strengthening their skills and knowledge. The initiative was supported by UNHCR and implemented with the generous financial support of the Gove...

Original source: Relief Web