Moldova is faced with a myriad of economic and social challenges that have historically hindered its development trajectory, including high poverty rates and emigration of young adults who leave the country in hope of better economic opportunities abroad. This demographic shift presents a particular challenge in remote rural areas, where many elderly persons were left behind by their families and now have to face a life in solitude, without any form of governmental assistance or community support.

To address this pressing issue, the local Moldovan NGO Neoumanist – in partnership with Diakonie Austria and funded by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs – launched this new project in the region. Besides providing vital mobile health care services, the project further aimed at improving the overall well-being, resilience and social inclusion of its project beneficiares, by proving households with with essential food items, general household support and measures to incentivize local community support. During a 3 day project visit by the Diakonie Austria staff, I had the opportunity to acompany one the health care teams and witness first hand the situation at the ground.