The state’s response in the management of current humanitarian crises

Abstract

Over the course of its 34 years of independence, the Republic of Moldova has faced a series of challenges, incidents, crises, and even disasters, which, however, have not reached the threshold of being classified as “humanitarian crises”, having been resolved, for the most part, solely through the collective effort of the nation. The developments of the past five years, however, reveal an alarming trend whereby the state is being affected by genuine and undeniable humanitarian crises, the management of which is significantly hindered in the absence of external assistance. Accordingly, the identification of humanitarian crises and the analysis of the instruments, methods, and essential measures undertaken by the state to mitigate such crises are essential for the forward-looking preparation of state institutions and personnel engaged in combating this type of grievous social phenomenon. At the same time, reviewing the key measures implemented to counter the consequences of past or ongoing humanitarian crises allows for the systematization of response actions around certain operational cores. The timely identification of these frameworks is vital for the immediate management of crises that may not meet the formal definition of a “humanitarian crisis”, while also enabling appropriate responses to any risk situations that may arise in the future. This study aims to assess the current crises, especially humanitarian ones, that directly affect the Republic of Moldova, to identify the range of state actions taken in response to their consequences, and to systematize these actions by formulating relevant recommendations.