State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Corina Ajder and the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Moldova, Doris El Doueihy, signed today the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the International Committee of the Red Cross on the status, privileges and immunities of the Red Cross in the Republic of Moldova.

The Agreement establishes the legal framework under which the International Committee of the Red Cross will operate in the Republic of Moldova, so that it will have the same privileges and immunities as other representative offices of international organisations on the territory of our country, namely: immunity from jurisdiction, inviolability of immovable property, tax exemptions, customs exemptions, communication facilities and so on.

“The presence of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Republic of Moldova is essential for our state, and the refugee crisis, which we have been facing for almost a year, has demonstrated this. With the document signed today, we are laying the foundations for a fruitful collaboration with an international organisation, which aims to provide humanitarian assistance to people at risk and to promote the principles of international humanitarian law”, said Corina Ajder.

“It is important to mark this date in the relations between the International Committee of the Red Cross in Moldova and the Republic of Moldova. This Agreement will help us to launch a new chapter in our bilateral dialogue and collaboration to ensure a more effective response for the vulnerable population in need of our support. We are grateful for the support received from the Government and remain committed to further strengthening our partnership in supporting people affected by critical humanitarian issues”, said Doris El Doueihy.

The International Committee of the Red Cross currently operates in the Republic of Moldova under the provision of the Commission for Exceptional Situations No 12 of 25 March 2022, which sets out the privileges and immunities of the Committee during the state of emergency. In the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, the organisation has played a significant role in strengthening our country’s capacity to manage the influx of refugees and to provide the necessary support both to them and to families hosting Ukrainian refugees.

The newly signed agreement will ensure the permanent presence of the institution on the territory of the state and its prompt intervention in critical situations to ensure the protection of human life and dignity.

The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross is an independent humanitarian institution that in 1863 laid the foundations of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The organisation’s mission is to help victims of war and internal violence, seeking to ensure the implementation of humanitarian norms that restrict armed violence.