Switzerland offers the Republic of Moldova $6.67 million to help vulnerable citizens cope with high energy bills
Switzerland offers $6.67 million to help at least 100 thousand vulnerable households in the Republic of Moldova cope with high energy bills during the cold period of the year. According to UNDP Moldova, the funds will contribute to the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund of the Republic of Moldova, managed by the Government.
"Switzerland was among the first countries that offered direct financial support to the Government of the Republic of Moldova so that it could strengthen its capacity to cover the costs and needs related to the response to the refugee crisis. Now, Switzerland is contributing to Moldova's colossal effort to manage the energy crisis and limit the repercussions of high bills for people," said Guido Beltrani, director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova, quoted by UNDP.
The energy vulnerability reduction fund was established by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, with the financial support of the European Union and the Government of Slovakia. UNDP supported the creation of the fund, the development of the information system, the training of social workers, the creation and operation of the call centre, as well as the implementation of the information campaign dedicated to the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund.
Recently, Sweden also contributed ten million US dollars to the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund, through an agreement with UNDP.
At the current rate of inflation, there is a high risk that a quarter of the population will end up living in poverty (less than $1.5/day), according to UNDP estimates. If fully implemented, the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund could prevent this risk. At the same time, according to the preliminary analysis of the UNDP, thanks to the compensation of energy bills, about 160,000 households could get out of poverty.
