Ukraine

Working environment

As of mid-2016, more than 1.6 million people were registered by the Government as internally displaced. UN agencies use a triangulated IDP figure of approximately 800,000 to 1,000,000, as outlined in the “2016 Ukraine humanitarian response plan”. UNHCR’s response forms part of inter-agency efforts and focuses on three main objectives: firstly, advocating for and responding to the protection needs of conflict-affected people; secondly, providing emergency assistance and ensuring non-discriminatory access to quality essential services; and thirdly, improving the resilience of people of concern, preventing further degradation of the humanitarian situation, and promoting early recovery and social cohesion.

UNHCR continues to lead the shelter/non-food item (NFI) and the protection clusters. The security situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile and can hinder delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in need. It is hoped that the resolution of obstacles to humanitarian access in non-government controlled areas will enable UNHCR to enhance its assistance delivery. 

There remain challenges in securing protection and durable solutions for IDPs, including restrictions on freedom of movement and humanitarian access to affected populations. Long delays, including overnight, at crossing points put civilians at risk, especially people with specific needs. UNHCR continues to call for measures to facilitate and expedite crossings. The situation of people residing on both sides of the line of contact remains especially concerning, as they lack access to services and protection, with delivery of humanitarian and medical aid severely restricted due to security issues and administrative obstacles.  UNHCR is particularly concerned about the suspension of social benefits and pensions for IDPs, and urges that these entitlements be de-linked from IDP registration and related benefits, noting that such payments are an acquired right of all citizens. UNHCR continues to work closely with community-based organizations to support IDPs and people at risk of displacement. 

Although no major new displacement is expected in 2017, in view of the challenging economic situation, many residents of non-government controlled areas may continue to move to government-controlled areas or to commute across the line of contact. Some spontaneous returns are also expected, including by people who have sought refuge or other forms of legal stay in neighboring countries. It is assumed that the number of IDPs will slightly decrease, while the number of returnees may increase. 

As of mid-2016, Ukraine was hosting some 3,200 refugees and 6,400 asylum-seekers. The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers originated from Afghanistan and the Syrian Arab Republic, with more than 70 other countries of origin also represented. More than 35,000 people were estimated to be stateless as of mid-2016. UNHCR will continue to work with the Government to bring the national asylum system in line with international standards, including in terms of prospects for local integration of refugees. Several important legislative initiatives relating to the asylum system have been recently adopted, such as the inclusion of asylum issues in the national human rights strategy and its action plan, and measures to strengthen asylum procedures. 
 

Key priorities:

In 2017 UNHCR will focus on:

•    continuing to lead the shelter/NFI and the protection clusters, and fostering partnerships with IDP communities, international organizations, civil society, and central and local governments;

•    consolidating UNHCR’s presence in areas with large numbers of IDPs;

•    maintaining a strong protection monitoring and advocacy role and promoting access to durable solutions for IDPs;

•    responding to protection concerns of and acute humanitarian gaps faced by IDPs and vulnerable populations/communities by: providing cash grants, legal and social counselling, as well as life-saving NFIs and shelter support for those at highest risk; implementing community projects for persons with specific needs in non-government controlled areas and along the contact line; supporting “quick-impact” projects aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between IDPs and host communities;

•    ensuring the continuing participation of the Government in the regional Quality Initiative in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus (Phase II), with the aim of strengthening asylum procedures by conducting capacity building for first instance decision makers, the judiciary, and border guards; and

•    supporting the Government in the identification of stateless people and developing relevant legislation to combat statelessness, including through the establishment of a statelessness determination procedure.