Russia's targeting of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine has disrupted access to health care throughout the country. On March 4, 2022, the EU enacted a Temporary Protection Directive that granted residency, social assistance, and comprehensive medical coverage to Ukrainian refugees and third-country nationals in any of its member states. However, some refugees with cancer are unable or unwilling to travel long distances to countries beyond their immediate borders because of factors such as old age and restricted mobility.

Europe has not experienced a refugee crisis of this magnitude since the Second World War. The Republic of Moldova, a small European nation bordering western Ukraine, has found itself increasingly in the crosshairs of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moldova is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nor the European Union (EU), but remains an attractive destination for those displaced by the conflict due to its proximity to Ukraine and Russian-speaking communities. Relative to its population, Moldova has the highest number of refugees per capita in Europe (4.2%).