The “Salvia” Family Violence Victim Rehabilitation Service, with 15 new accommodation places for survivors of violence and adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities, was inaugurated on 3 February in the south of the country. This space is a cross-border crisis center, located 40 km from the Ukrainian border, and will provide assistance to both refugee women from Ukraine and women from the Republic of Moldova.
The “Salvia” Center was established under the auspices of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova, in collaboration with UNFPA Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, and in partnership with AO Homecare and local public authorities.
“Salvia is a place of safety, support, and respect, dedicated to women and children affected by violence. We want them to be able to live in safety and dignity and to enjoy a fulfilling life. We are grateful to our partners and donors who continuously support us in developing support services across the country,” said Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labor and Social Protection.
According to statistics, in the Republic of Moldova, 7 out of 10 women experience physical, psychological, economic, or sexual violence and require specialized services. At the same time, women refugees from Ukraine face prolonged trauma caused by the war and heightened risks of violence.
“Too many women in Moldova face violence, and safe spaces like Salvia provide dignity, protection, and a real chance to rebuild their lives. I am deeply grateful to stand alongside UNFPA and our partners in this essential effort, and I am proud that one in four shelters for survivors of violence in the Republic of Moldova has been created with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom,” said Fern Horine, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Moldova.
Ludmila Sîrbu, Acting Deputy Representative of UNFPA in Moldova, noted that UNFPA supports violence prevention, protection, and response services in the Republic of Moldova, both in humanitarian and national contexts, as part of the organization’s global mission. To date, with UNFPA’s support and in partnership with the Government of the United Kingdom, 43 crisis shelter places have been created for survivors of violence.
“What makes the Salvia Center in the south of the country unique is its cross-border model, piloted together with the UNFPA Ukraine team. There is a collaboration and referral mechanism through an SMS information system and online psychosocial and legal support services, which will allow timely and effective assistance for women from Ukraine at risk. At the same time, this space represents a second, safe, and welcoming home for all women in the Republic of Moldova who need protection and recovery,” Ludmila Sîrbu added.
“For women from Ukraine affected by the war, this shelter in the Republic of Moldova is of vital importance, being one of the few places that provides real protection, safety, and continuity of support in times of crisis. Salvia means peace, hope, and a concrete response to the vulnerabilities caused by violence and displacement,” said Justyna Janina Bajer, Head of the South Hub and Emergency Response Coordinator, UNFPA Ukraine.
The opening of the Salvia Center contributes to the expansion of the national shelter network, alongside the Magnolia Center, inaugurated in the north of the country in the summer of 2025, strengthening the Republic of Moldova’s response to gender-based violence through inclusive, survivor-centered services. The existence of these services is a mandatory requirement of the Istanbul Convention and brings the Republic of Moldova closer to European Union standards in the prevention and combat of violence.
