Transnistria and Moldova: households left without gas and electricity. Wood, coal and generators needed for heating

“We have taken in refugees from Ukraine and we are now sheltering those who have fled Transnistria because of the freezing cold. We have been living in this state of emergency for three years now, and our financial resources have hit rock bottom. It feels like we are going into reverse gear. In the past, we were in need of funds for the provision of shelter, for integration and for launching integration projects. Today we are in need of funds for the purchase of firewood and coal for heating purposes.” Monsignor Cesare Lodeserto, Vicar General of the Diocese of Chisinau and President of the Regina Pacis Foundation, sent SIR this “cry for help” from the Moldovan city of Chisinau. “Russia’s decision to cut off gas supplies, for which Ukraine is partly responsible, has caused serious difficulties, especially in the separatist region of Transnistria, where there are six parishes and several religious communities,” said the Italian priest, a missionary in Moldova.

“Transnistria will soon be left without gas supplies,” he says, “and electricity has been reduced to just six hours a day.”

“Despite Transinistria’s capacity to produce energy, the population’s demand for electricity exceeds production, since many households can no longer receive heating from gas and are dependent on heating from electric stoves. But this excess demand has also put the electricity system under strain.” This situation is bound to affect, sooner or later, also the territory of Moldova, which currently benefits from energy reserves that are beginning to run out,” Msgr. Lodeserto continued.

There are currently about 400,000 inhabitants in Transnistria. Fortunately, while temperatures had dropped below zero until 7 January, since yesterday they have risen above 15°C, “which is a miracle given the situation”. The bishop asked for an assessment of the various needs, inviting in particular the parishes of Transnistria to carry out a needs assessment. The diocese is currently in the process of determining the appropriate response.

“The parishes are in need of electricity generators, and at the same time there is the possibility to purchase firewood and coal, which are currently the most common sources of alternative energy to gas and electricity.”

“We are also witnessing a mass exodus of citizens from Transnistria to Moldova, especially the elderly,” adds Monsignor Lodeserto. “The various diocesan organisations, Caritas and the Regina Pacis Foundation, are doing their best to accommodate these people in houses heated with wood and coal.” Meanwhile, the parish of Tiraspol has opened a shelter for children and is trying to obtain a generator for them.

It is clear that a game is being played in this region that is taking on the characteristics of a ‘hybrid war’ that Russia wants and has been waging for some time now. However, with President Sandu’s reappointment and other political developments, Moldova is now trying to obtain support from Europe. “A solidarity movement is under way, which we hope will reassure the population,” says the Italian priest. “But political instability persists throughout the region, starting with neighbouring Ukraine, which makes everything very difficult.”

“The Church in Moldova, through its structures, remains fully committed to assisting refugees and helping the poorest, but financial resources are beginning to run out”.

“We are no longer able to respond to a whole range of needs of these people living so far from their homeland. That is why we hope that the conflicting parties will be reasonable enough to reach a situation of dialogue, which is possible in words but remains to be seen in deeds. Ukraine has stepped up its occupation of the eastern territories. Russia has stepped up its bombing in southern Ukraine. So far, the statements of peace have not been matched by the facts. This creates a situation of instability, especially when you consider that the death toll in this war has now exceeded one million.”

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