Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Home to 24,000 Jews living in some of the worst conditions facing any Jewish community, WJR has been providing support and assistance through its Gifts in Kind (GiK) programme for many years. Shipments of humanitarian aid are sent regularly and include items such as warm winter clothes, dried foods, bedding and other important items that support this fragile community.

Moldova is entirely landlocked. The country’s economy depends heavily upon agriculture. Petrol, coal and natural gas are all imported, primarily from Russia. Moldova has an adult illiteracy rate of 1.6%. 22% of the population lives on less than $1 a day, and 63.7% lives on less than $2 a day.