“EU4Moldova Resilience – secure state, resilient communities” supported the authorities in responding to the Dniester River pollution crisis
In March 2026, following the oil spill in the Dniester River — one of the Republic of Moldova’s most important sources of water — Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and with financial support from the European Union, took swift action to support the authorities’ efforts to limit the impact on the environment and the affected communities.
On 18 March 2026, SFPL in Moldova received a request for support to intervene in response to the crisis. Considering that the Dniester River is a vital resource for hundreds of thousands of citizens of the Republic of Moldova and that in such situations rapid reaction is crucial, the first intervention batch was delivered on 21 March 2026. The Environmental Protection Inspectorate received twotons of biodegradable absorbent material, which was distributed for use in the affected areas of Criuleni and Dubăsari districts, according to needs identified on the ground.
The biodegradable absorbent plays an essential role in such interventions. It enables the rapid absorption of petroleum products from the water surface, helping to limit the spread of pollution and reduce the impact on flora, fauna, and water resources used by the population. Thus, the response continued immediately with a second round of support. On 28 March 2026, an additional five tons of biodegradable absorbent material were delivered to the Environmental Protection Inspectorate. The total value of goods provided in these first two deliveries exceeded EUR 12,700.
To strengthen response and water pollution prevention capacities, support was further expanded in the following period. Within subsequent donation rounds, between 16 April and 11 May 2026, additional specialised materials were delivered, including PAD rolls, absorbent pads, and oil spill containment booms, with a total length of 3, 828 linear meters, to strengthen field intervention capacities. The total value of the contract for this stage of support amounted to EUR 47,698.80.
These interventions demonstrate the importance of a rapid and coordinated response in environmental crisis situations, as well as the value of cooperation between national institutions, international partners, and organisations involved in protecting the natural resources of the Republic of Moldova.
The interventions were carried out within the EU4 Moldova Resilience – Secure States, Resilient Communities project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.