The responsibility to produce accurate statistics about refugees and asylum-seekers in the Republic of Moldova was handed over from the UNHCR to the Main Directorate for Refugees (MDR) (Migration Department) in January 2003, when the Law on the Status of Refugees entered into force. As of 01 January 2003, 688 cases (951 persons) have been registered with UNHCR in Moldova since the creation of the office in 1997, out of which 123 cases (266 persons) were recognized as refugees, 125 cases (136 persons) were rejected in first instance and 52 cases (56 persons) were rejected in appeal.

Out of the total of recognized refugees by UNHCR, 14 cases (29 persons) were resettled to a third country, and 14 cases (16 persons) voluntarily repatriated to their country of origin with the assistance of our office. 33 cases (48 persons) of recognized refugees were administratively closed, as they did not contact our office for over three months.

After the creation of the Main Directorate for Refugees, all active cases were taken from UNHCR and transferred to the MDR. On this behalf, the above mentioned governmental structure is carrying on the refugee status determination procedure and the registration and evidence of the asylum seekers and refugees. So, according to the information provided by MDR, from 01 January 2003 till 31 October 2006 there were opened 290 cases (326 persons) and reopened 39 cases (39 persons). On the same period of time there were issued 231 decisions on 230 cases (262 persons), 135 of them being negative and 107 positive (162 persons were granted with refugee status or humanitarian protection).

From the total number of recognized refugees or persons with humanitarian protection, being under the MDR protection 36 cases (114 persons) voluntarily repatriated to their country of origin, of them 30 cases (100 persons) with the assistance of the UNHCR. 23 cases (45 persons) were administratively closed, as they did not contact the MDR office for over three months. Also there was one case of resettlement (8 persons).

So far, out of the total number of registered cases, 779 cases (1045 persons) were closed, meaning that 191 cases (234 persons) remain active. As of 31 October 2006, there are active 119 cases (162 persons) of recognized refugees and persons with humanitarian protection, who are staying on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Currently, 72 cases (72 persons) are pending, meaning that they are awaiting a decision in first instance or appeal instance.

Over 30 different countries are represented, but most are from Turkey, Jordan, Sudan, Armenia and Lebanon.