Bucharest Forum – September 8 – 9, 2022
Towards a Common European Platform for Refugee
Inclusion
Conclusions and the way forward
1. Rationale
Having regarded the complex circumstances and challenges raised by the unprovoked war in
Ukraine in terms of massive refugee flux, and building on the previous conversations by the
Member States’ representatives in Poland and Austria on matters related to addressing the
Ukrainian refugee crisis from a medium and long-term perspective, we have acknowledged the
need of cooperation, coordination and working together so as to create the necessary tailored
leverages and pro-active measures of support that enable effective integration and inclusion of
the Ukrainian refugees.
The Ukrainian refugee crisis has emerged with a series of new and barely anticipated challenges
given the proximity to the conflict zone, the legal status, the profile of the refugees and the large
”entry gate” to the European Union across Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
Six months from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 14 million Ukrainians have fled the country1 as
refugees. A total of 14.8 million people—1 in 4 Ukrainians—have left their homes, including
those who are now internally displaced. This is one of Europe’s biggest refugee movement since
World War II. Another relevant aspect refers to the fact that the vast majority of refugees are
women and children, and this could represent a blind spot that is vulnerable to exploitation by
human traffickers and similar criminal groups.
The Ukrainian refugee crisis threatens the physical, psychological, and material well-being of all
those displaced. While there has been overwhelming support for Ukrainians and global
condemnation of Russia’s invasion, the economic pressures, security concerns, and energy crisis
are likely to pose an additional burden on Member States’ approach to refugee integration and
inclusion.
1
https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/europe/ukraine_en
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The EU border states, in addition to Moldova, are receiving the bulk of the arrivals. Many refugees
are expected to stay in countries bordering Ukraine in the first instance, given their geographical
proximity, before possibly moving on to other places. Their final destination will be influenced by
the general ability of countries to welcome and accommodate refugees, as well as by existing
Ukrainian communities (Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Spain, Italy).
The total economic and social impact on member states is currently impossible to estimate and
will depend on the duration and course of the war itself, the level of services and support offered
by host countries and when a safe and dignified return to Ukraine is feasible. In any case, the
economic damage caused by the war in Ukraine will take at least a decade to recover, making it
likely that outward migration will remain high.
Beyond the emergency response led by the frontline countries and their international partners
and civil society, there is an increasing need to further address the medium and long-term
challenges of the Ukrainian refugee flux in a tailored and coordinated manner across the EU
Member States.
Having regarded all these complex circumstances and challenges, we have acknowledged the
need of cooperation, coordination and focusing together on helping Ukrainians integrate into
our countries, move out of camps or other temporary situations into communities. Employment
for refugees can lead to win-win solutions in labor markets if refugees can meet market demands.
If we reasonably consider that Ukrainians will be in the European countries for years, their
ability to work, support their families, and have the security and dignity that come from
independent finances will be critical. The 2018 U.N. Global Compact on Refugees highlighted the
importance of fostering self-reliance in refugees.
However, to this end we, the Member States, together with our European and international
partners need to work together and coordinate so as to create the necessary tailored leverages
and pro-active measures of support that enable effective integration and inclusion of the
Ukrainian refugees. This way, we will further be able to design as well support mechanisms for
host communities for a swift integration and avoid security and exploitation risks.
2. Conclusions of the Bucharest Forum
2.1. General Info
Delegations of 23 Member States, UK, Norway, Republic of Moldova, DG Reform, DG Home,
OECD, UN Agencies have participated in the Bucharest Forum - Towards a Common European
Platform for Refugee Inclusion, organized by the Government of Romania.
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The event has been chaired by Ms. Madalina Turza, Counsellor of state to the PM Chancellery
and strategic coordinator of the humanitarian assistance in Romania. Messages by the President
of Romania and the Prime-Minister of Romania have been conveyed by the Counsellor of State
(Presidential Administration) Catalina Galer and by the Chief Chancellor in the Romanian
Government, Mircea Abrudean.
DG Reform General Director, Mr. Mario Nava, Mr. Pablo Zapata, UNHCR Representative RO,
Mircea Mocanu, Head of IOM Mission RO, OECD Head of International Migration Division, Mr.
Jean-Cristophe Dumond, State Secretary, Mr. Raed Arafat (Department for Emergency Situations
RO MIA) and Mr. Alexander Wolffhartd (Migration Policy Group) have had special interventions
within the Bucharest Forum.
2.2 Main highlights of the Bucharest Forum
All Member States delegations have had interventions focusing on the best practices
implemented in their respective countries, as well the challenges they have been facing since the
beginning of the war in Ukraine with regard to refugee reception, humanitarian assistance and
integration.
DG Reform and DG Home presented the efforts by the Commission with regard to the refugee
situation. As well, they have presented the existing mechanisms in support of the Member States
and emphasized the willingness to further stand with the common efforts by the Member States
in dealing with the refugee flux from Ukraine. EUAA representative presented the support
provided by the Agency with regard to refugee reception and provided details on various field
support missions in the Member States.
UNHCR representative RO provided an overview of the UA refugee flux at European level and
presented recent data on the arrivals, profile, and vulnerabilities of the refugees across Europe.
OIM Head of Mission RO acknowledged the importance of supporting efforts by the Member
States and the need to further strengthen the cooperation between the European countries and
with the international organizations providing technical assistance to the countries affected by
the refugee situation.
OECD representative emphasized the idea that a successful integration of the UA refugee is a
precondition of their further reintegration in their home country, especially given the
uncertainty of the crisis. Moreover, he informed the participants that OECD has conducted a
research on the costs of integration by the host countries (27 bil. Euros - housing) and touched
on the necessity to further discuss on phasing Temporary Protection regulation.
3|Page
The Chair of the Forum, Ms. Madalina Turza, presented RO response to the refugee crisis, the
steps Romania has taken both in the emergency response and further on in the integration phase.
She has given a brief overview of the National Plan of Measures on refugee inclusion and
presented the challenges faced at national level, proposing at the same time an open list of
common challenges by the European countries. She presented and supported the idea of an
informal common platform of dialog at political level meant to foster the exchange of best
practices and drive political will with regard to the refugee inclusion.
2.3 Common grounds and challenges
All the delegations agreed upon the following general aspects:
The UA refugee crisis we are facing is a long-term situation that require strategic
planning and coordination,
Integration and inclusion are two complex processes that require commitment and
planning,
There are specific national challenges that the states are called to answer and many of
them succeeded in creating best practices that need to be shared,
There are common challenges by the European states that require dialog, coordination
and political will.
The common challenges acknowledged by the delegations are:
Disinformation/social cohesion
Long-term housing of the UA refugees
Sufficient attention to the host communities
Language barrier and access to education
2.4 Conclusions
Having regarded the common grounds and challenges acknowledged by the delegations, the
Chair of the Forum proposed the creation of the so called ”Bucharest Platform” – a European
Platform of Dialog on Refugee Inclusion, which, based on:
- Knowledge and best practices and solutions sharing,
- Co-creation of solutions for common challenges,
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Will be able to:
1. Inform and drive political decision and commitment at national level,
2. Shape together a common vision on major areas of concern so as to avoid
duplication of efforts and push/pull factors,
3. Complement EC existing expert level cooperation mechanisms.
20 of the delegations expressed their support in favor of the Platform of Dialog and 3
delegations (HU, CZ, SE) did not have specific mandate or expressed reserve. Austria, Malta,
Greece and OECD expressed their availability to organize next session of the Platform.
The Chair presented delegations the proposal that RO will coordinate the set-up process until the
next session of the Platform and provide them with a ”statutory” and organizational proposal in
due time. The Cabinet of the Counsellor of State Ms. Madalina Turza will ensure the
communication with the delegations/countries and will set-up a communication group for the
next steps.
3. ”Statutory” and organizational terms of reference proposal
1. The Platform will function based on the principle of the ”coalition of the willing” of the
European countries,
2. The Platform will reunite every six months or when deem it necessary upon the call by
the Steering Committee,
3. The Platform will reunite on rotational basis in every European country as per their
voluntarily initiative,
4. In case several hosting proposals are presented, the alphabetical order rule will apply,
5. The Steering Committee of the Platform includes the following members: the founding
Chair, the Vice-chair, the Chair,
6. The founding chair is represented by the founding Member State,
7. The Vice-chair is represented by the previous Member State host of the Platform reunion,
8. The Chair is represented by the sitting Member State host,
9. The Steering Committee decides on the priorities or order of business of the Platform and
manages the general course of its operations, in between and during the reunions.
10. The Chair to be is responsible with the organization of the next reunion. In the process it
is supported by the Vice-Chair and the founding Chair.
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11. The reunions of the Platform may be attended by permanent and/or temporary guests,
that may be independent experts, regional and/or international organizations, private
entities with relevant expertise in the topics addressed during the reunion,
12. Exceptional reunions may be hosted by regional and/or international organizations,
13. The reunions may have the open or closed door format as per the decision of the Steering
Committee, depending on the topics to be addressed,
14. The outcome of every reunion of the Platform will consist of a set of recommendations
with regard to the topics in debate that will inform the political decision at national level,
15. The set of recommendations will be issued by the Chair Member State based on the dialog
and consultation with the members of the Platform and will be made available in due
time to the members, after the reunion of the Platform,
16. The recommendations may be public or for internal use only by the governmental
decision-makers, as per the agreement of the members of the Platform,
17. The founding Chair develops, maintain and updates a public website/landing page of the
Platform,
18. The landing page will host public information on the activities conducted by the Platform,
background information, objectives, members of the Platform and news.
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SEPTEMBER 2022
STATUS
REPORT
ROMANIA'S
RESPONSE TO
THE UKRAINIAN
REFUGEE CRISIS
Cabinet of the Counsellor of State Madalina Turza
Humanitarian Assistance Strategic Coordination Unit
Prime Minister Chancellery
Government of Romania
Table of Contents
Situation update - Facts &
Chapter 1 Figures
Romania's Response
- First Phase : Emergency
Response
Chapter 2 - Second Phase: Inclusion and
Integration
Implementation of National
Chapter 3 Plan of Measures - status
update
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, launching the biggest unprovoked
CHAPTER 1 military offensive in Europe since World War II, leading to a major refugee flux to
the bordering countries and the European Union.
Situation Six months into the conflict, deadly shelling and missile attacks continue,
causing destruction, civilian injuries and deaths. Critical infrastructure is
Update destroyed, and many people are trapped, unable to meet their basic needs
including food, water and medicines. The delivery of life-saving aid remains
challenging, with a lack of safe humanitarian access in areas where intense
fighting is ongoing.
Facts &
The Russian invasion has resulted in the largest refugee crisis in Europe since
Figures the World War II, with devastating impacts on those displaced, but also causing
new and barely anticipated challenges for Romania and neighboring countries,
given their proximity to the conflict zone and being an ”entry gate” to the
European Union. Six months from Russia’s invasion, 14 million Ukrainians have
fled the country[1] as refugees. A total of 14.8 million people — 1 in 4
Ukrainians — have left their homes, including those who are now internally
displaced.
While there has been overwhelming support for Ukrainians and global
condemnation of Russia’s invasion, the economic pressures, security concerns,
and energy crisis are likely to pose an additional burden on neighboring
countries and impact their approach to refugee integration and inclusion.
As of 22 August, the Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
recorded 13,477 civilian casualties in
Ukraine:
5,587 killed
including 362 children
and 7,890 injured.
OHCHR notes that the actual figures are likely
considerably higher
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
2.169.053 UA citizens entering Romania
82.647 In-country UA citizens
61.653 Temporary Protection Applications
4.381 UA Asylum Seekers
37.434 UA children in Romania
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
Romania has established a clear decision-making and coordination structure to
Situation enable agencies with different responsibilities at all levels of Government to
effectively plan, coordinate, and interact at the policy level and on the ground, in
Update response to the humanitarian crisis.
From day one of the crisis, at the level of the Government, a high-level decision-
making Task-Force was established, coordinated by the Prime Minister.
Facts & Secondly, the Humanitarian Assistance Strategic Coordination Group was set up
at the level of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, led by a Counselor of state to
Figures ensure the strategic framework of humanitarian response and to facilitate the
inter-agency cooperation among national, European, and international partners.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
CHAPTER 2: R O M A N I A ' S R E S P O N S E :
FIRST EMERGENCY RESPONSE
ACCESS TO TERRITORY, ASYLUM AND PROTECTION
Every Ukrainian citizen coming from Ukraine directly or via the Republic of
Moldova is granted access to the Romanian territory and if the case might be, to
the asylum procedure. The asylum procedure in Romania falls within the
responsibility of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (GII) – Ministry of
Internal Affairs (MIA), while the border check and access to the territory are with
the General Inspectorate of the Border Police. For reception and registration, GII
works through the 6 Regional Centers and has deployed registration personnel
in 4 key border entry points: Sighet, Siret, Husi and Isaccea.
In the early days of the crisis, the legal status of the displaced population from
Ukraine was the following:
1. Persons possessing a biometric passport;
2. Persons possessing a regular passport;
3. Persons possessing national identity cards or no documents.
By law, the first two categories of Ukrainian citizens were having the legal status
of tourists travelling in Romania, since they have been granted free access to EU
territory for 90 or 15 days respectively. The last category was referred by law to
the asylum procedure.
DEPARTM The unprecedented influx of refugees posed a significant regulation burden on
Romania, and the Government had to come up with new legislative provisions
to address the legal status of those displaced and ensure adequate protection.
ENT Hence, two Government Ordinances (No. 15 and 20/2022) were issued, granting
a minimum package of services and protection to the displaced persons from
GOALS Ukraine to accommodate their needs in the emergency response phase. Two
weeks later, the Directive 2001/55 / EC was activated and on 4 March 2022 the
Council Decision (EU) 2022/382 was issued. By this Decision, a temporary form
of protection was granted to the displaced persons from Ukraine which
provides for adequate protection and services in all the Member States for
people fleeing from the face of war. Temporary protection is given for one year
with the possibility of extension, depending on the Council Decision to continue
the Temporary Protection Directive.
The procedure of granting Temporary Protection is conducted by GII-MIA and an
accessible and effective mechanism has been set up. The temporary protection
status provides the displaced persons from Ukraine with free access to
healthcare, social services, housing, internal transportation. By 1st September
2022, over 61.000 applications for this status have been registered with GII.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
SAFETY MEASURES
On the border with Ukraine and Moldova, over 5.000 MIA staff were deployed,
(2.000 border guards, over 2.000 police officers, almost 600 gendarmes, 600
emergency situations officers, and 16 GII officers) to ensure the safety,
surveillance and control of the border crossing. In addition, 123 FRONTEX
workers are also involved in support activities.
The MIA officers have been trained to prevent, detect and act on any type of
crime, such as trafficking in persons or risks that pertain to children that are
unaccompanied or travelling without their parents.
SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING
A mechanism for identification and referral of trafficking cases was immediately
set up and identification indicators and direct referral procedures have been
disseminated to the border police officers and to the asylum reception centers.
The government is working closely with the civil society in the area of
prevention and victims’ assistance which is a key element of the Government’s
fight against trafficking in persons.
A dedicated helpline exists and has been additionally resourced where victims
can report and get assistance for situations of domestic violence, human
trafficking, gender discrimination, or other types of discrimination. Awareness
raising and safety-messaging and campaigns have been provided by the the
Government, the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons and through
civil society.
So far, the Government and Partners have not received any reports of
trafficked victims, but is aware that there can be grey numbers and
unreported cases.
DEPARTM SPECIFIC MEASURES FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
A joint order of the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities, the
ENT Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and
the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration sets out the
GOALS steps to be taken regarding registration, transit, residence, and protection of
minors.
Strict measures and procedures are being implemented to collect accurate
information about each unaccompanied minor, in order to detect any
protection risk and to ensure that the necessary protection measures and
support are put in place. The Romanian Border Police collects all necessary
information from the adult traveling with the minor regarding the transit
journey and final destination, or the intention to stay in Romania.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
Contact information and identity details of the accompanying adult and the
minor is recorded. The Government has also ensured that representatives of
the General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC), the
National Authority for Child Protection and Adoptions are present at border
points, ready to follow up vulnerable cases identified. If the unaccompanied
minor remains in Romania with an adult relative or caretaker, the Romanian
Border Police collect information on address, contact and identity details of the
accompanying adult and the minor. For the unaccompanied minor who
remains on the territory of Romania and has no place to live, the
representatives of the Romanian Border Police notify, through the
representative of the General Directorate for Social Assistance and Child
Protection (DGASPC), the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoptions.
If needed, special protection measure are applied which include the placement
of children in public or private family-type services, with priority given to
persons who speak Ukrainian or, as the case may be, Russian. These families
are carefully vetted by the National Authority for Child Protection and
Adoptions.
Minors arriving from placement centres in Ukraine or from the special
protection system in Ukraine are guided, by the representatives of the
Romanian Border Police, to the representative of DGASPC present at the border
crossing point. Ukrainian or Russian-speaking interpreters volunteers from
higher education institutions or non-governmental organizations identified
through the Task Force are also present at border crossings. Special transport
of unaccompanied minors (from the Ukrainian protection system) from the
border to the social service identified by the National Authority for Child
Protection and Adoptions, is provided.
7 Blue Dots centres have been established across the country. The Government
DEPARTM of Romania has established specific National Helplines for protection: one toll-
free number for children's’ emergencies and one toll-free number to report
situations of domestic violence, human trafficking, gender discrimination, or
ENT other types of discrimination. Both helplines are managed in Ukrainian
language.
GOALS An official internet platform with all information on the rights and services
available for Ukrainian refugees, including information specifically directed to
children, is launched and continuously updated.
TRAUMA CARE
Ukrainian children under the protection of social services in Romania can benefit from counselling
services adjusted to their concrete needs, including trauma care, provided by the specialists from
General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection. Furthermore, Ukrainian children
staying, together with family members or other persons in charge of their well being, can equally
benefit from the same type of services, or, according to the options of the parents/guardians, from
ones provided by private providers. It is important to mention that during the last two years
specialists within GDSACPs benefited from numerous specialized training sessions on trauma care,
organized by central authority in the field of child protection and relevant NGOs with expertise in the
field. Also, NGOs provide a more broader and diversified range of services for the children, including
for the ones with disabilities, complementing the measures of the state institutions
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
CIVIL PROTECTION
The civil protection mechanism falls into the responsibility of the Department
for Emergency Situations (DES) – MIA, which started February 24, 2022, was the
lead in the Emergency Response by Romania to the refugee crisis. DES has set
up a National Centre for Command and Intervention through which the entire
emergency response is coordinated at the national level, in close cooperation
with the local authorities, national non-governmental organizations and
international organizations present in Romania.
Through the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES), DES
operates 15 mobile camps for refugees in 8 counties, with a total
accommodation capacity of 2.203 of which 148 are occupied.
Assistance has been provided to 1.466.052 refugees since the camps became
operational. 1.381 refugee camps / centres are operational at national level,
coordinated by local public authorities or by civil society, with a total
accommodation capacity of 49.846 places, of which 7.718 are occupied.
Humanitarian Aid from Romania to Ukraine and Republic of Moldova
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
SECOND PHASE OF THE RESPONSE
PROTECTION AND INCLUSION
On 29 June 2022 the Government of Romania approved a National Plan of Measures for the
protection and inclusion of Ukrainian Refugees by a Government Ordinance.
In broad terms, the plan sets out ambitious and comprehensive measure to facilitate access to
Temporary Protection and prevention of risks of abuse and exploitation. The plan provides an integrated
package of protection and inclusion measures in the areas of health, education, employment, housing,
vulnerable people and children and youth. In addition, the plan sets out cross-cutting measures for
improved access to official information on the rights, obligations and facilities available for displaced
persons from Ukraine, like:
Operationalization of a help-line for Ukrainian refugees with key information on health,
education, employment, housing, vulnerable groups and children, intended for displaced
persons from Ukraine.
A comprehensive information package with guidance on the rights and concrete steps
("Road Map") for Ukrainian refugees to take for protection and inclusion.
Creation of a working group for the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse (PSEA) and the
risks associated with human trafficking.
Development of an information package to prevent the risks of abuse and exploitation.
The UN Regional Response Plan (RRP) is complementary to The National Plan of Measures, hence
several measures and activities will be implemented in coordination and together with the RRP partners.
The below reports on the status of overall measures for each sector. A more detailed report with results
from each sector working group will be published separately.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
NATIONAL PLAN OF
CHAPTER 3: M E A S U R E S
IMPLEMENTATION STATUS
Cross-cutting Measures
A help-line for Ukrainian refugees with key information
on health, education, employment, housing, vulnerable
groups and children, intended for displaced persons
Access to official and
from Ukraine is installed and will be active by end
reliable information
September.
Creation of a working group for the prevention of sexual
exploitation, abuse (PSEA) and the risks associated with
Preventing abuse and
human trafficking, published in Official Journal.
exploitation risks
Sector Overall Measures Status per September
The Government will facilitate access Regional employment agencies have
to the labour market for Ukrainians developed Romanian language
with temporary protection and courses. The courses are specific to
the job offers/ technical area.
DEPARTM strengthen the administrative
capacity of the public employment
service to support the labour market
ENT
Labour
integration of displaced persons from
Ukraine. It will invest in the
GOALS dissemination of information and
capacity building of Ukrainian citizens
on how they can enter the Romanian
labour market; and capacity-build and
support Romanian employers on how
to employ Ukrainian citizens.
STATUS REPORT // AUGUST 2022
Sector Overall Measures Status per September
The Government will secure Assessment of the availability of social
accommodation for Ukrainian housing conducted at national level.
refugees who need it, by making use
of unallocated housing built by the
National Housing Agency or through
the Social and Necessity Housing
Programme. Unallocated housing
Housing owned by local public authorities,
accommodation owned by central
public authorities and available
private rental units will be made
available. Unused buildings in which
the target group can be
accommodated will be renovated and
made available.
The Government will ensure a Simplified enrolment procedures in place
continuation of studies and support and outreach activities for enrolment
the learning processes for Ukrainian conducted.
children and students. Measures will Access granted to scholarships, free
be taken to enable and encourage school accommodation and personal
continued and increased enrolment of item kits provided.
Ukrainian children into the Romanian Counselling and psychological support
educational system, including program established, roll-out started in
providing the necessary human schools with priority to regions with high
resources through the employment of refugee population.
Romanian and Ukrainian teachers, as Academic mobility program for
well as providing the necessary Ukrainian students in universities and
material resources. Allowances for special scholar ship for Ukrainian
food and school supplies, clothing etc. students established.
will be provided to those in need. In cooperation with UNICEF, a platform
Education Teachers will be trained to give to facilitate data gathering about the
DEPARTM intensive preparatory Romanian Ukrainian children enrolled in the
Romanian schools is being developed:
language courses for Ukrainian
ENT children. There will also be continuous
training of teachers for psycho-social
https://refugees.qie.ro/home. The
platform will also provide information
support for Ukrainian children and about the requirements of the Romanian
GOALS communication with their parents to schools where the Ukrainian children are
enrolled.
facilitate integration and to provide
psycho-pedagogical assistance and
counselling. Home/hospital schooling
will be provided in medical cases
when needed. Complementary early
education activities at
kindergarten/nursery/daycare centre
and community level will be
organized.
STATUS REPORT // AUGUST 2022
Sector Overall Measures Status per September
All children from Ukraine who are The National Authority for the Protection
beneficiaries of temporary protection of the Rights of the Child and Adoption
in Romania will be registered in (ANPDCA) in partnership with UNICEF
order to have access to support and and other organizations has started the
essential child protection services, roll out of CPIMS+/PRIMERO, an open
including monitoring and family source software platform that facilitates
reunification services. Awareness case management, incident monitoring,
raising- and prevention campaigns and family tracing and reunification.
and well-functioning referral and Social workers from 41 county-level
support systems will be ensured. The General Directorate of Social Assistance
participation of Ukrainian children and Child Protection (DGASPCs) has been
will be integrated into the response trained on using this tool, and child
measures. protection training has been conducted
The Government with partners will for government staff, NGO partners and
strengthen the procedure for the volunteers.
identification, reporting and Through the national social service
resolution of cases of abuse, neglect, system and partners, Mental Health and
exploitation and any other form of Psychosocial support and services,
violence against unaccompanied individual protection assistance,
children, foreign citizens or stateless information and referrals, translation
persons, including those seeking and guidance is provided.
asylum or benefiting from
international protection in Romania.
Children Continued investment will be made
and Youth to develop the skills of professionals
in the child protection system,
including the development of tools
and guidelines. Activities in existing
youth centres will be expanded and
the national network of Youth
Centres, including mobile centres,
DEPARTM will be further strengthened.
The Government will protect the best
ENT interests of children from Ukraine in
Romania by finding durable
solutions. A coordination mechanism
GOALS between Ukrainian and Romanian
authorities to identify missing
children reported by Ukrainian
authorities on Romanian territory will
be established to repatriate
unaccompanied children from
Ukraine and to identify solutions for
family reunification in order to
respect the best interests of the
child.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
Sector Overall Measures Status per September
Comprehensive needs assessments Identification procedures for vulnerable
will be conducted to ensure groups established at all border points
identification of the needs of and in host communities.
vulnerable displaced persons from
Ukraine, and make sure their
protection rights and specific needs
are met.
Legal acts will be adapted to facilitate
easy and appropriate access to social
services and social assistance
benefits and through information
campaigns and efforts, vulnerable
displaced persons from Ukraine will
be informed about their social
Vulnerable assistance rights, social services and
Groups social assistance benefits. Local
authorities and existing services will
strengthen their working procedures
and tools to increase the capacity
and urgency of the response with
regard to the vulnerable displaced.
DEPARTM Ukrainian refugees with protection in
Romania will be included in national
ENT public health programmes aimed at
prevention, surveillance and control
GOALS of communicable diseases in
situations of epidemiological risk.
The Government with partners will
Health
ensure provision of medical services,
medical supplies, medicines and
medical devices under the social
health insurance system to displaced
persons from Ukraine and ensure
full integration of displaced persons
from Ukraine into the health system.
STATUS REPORT // SEPTEMBER 2022
Prepared by:
Madalina Turza
Ane Tvedt
Sorin Badita
DEPARTM
ENT
GOALS
ROMANIA’S COMMITMENT AND
RESPONSE TO THE REFUGEE CRISIS
GENERAL STATISTICS
Number of UA citizens entering
2.169.053 Romania
Number of in-country UA citizens
82.647
Number of asylum seekers
4.381
61.653 Temporary protection applications
Number of UA children in Romania
37.434
Day 1 – February 24, 2022
Emergency stakeholders’ meeting
Planning for emergency measures
Public and private resource assessment
Establishing the management and coordination of the crisis
situation
Vision and Strategy – March 2022
Governmental Task-Force
Establishing of the strategic coordination of humanitarian
assistance –”whole society response”
Defining the 2 steps response strategy
TIMELINE
The crisis situation management, strategic
planning and emergency law making – April –
May 2022
Strategic coordination of humanitarian response
Establishing the framework agreement with the UN Agencies
Adoption and amendment of over 20 pieces of legislation
Second phase of response – medium and long
term measures – May – June 2022
Elaboration, debate and adoption of the National Plan of
Measures for the inclusion of UA temporary protected persons
- 30 June 2022
Vision and strategy
National Plan of Measures for Refugee inclusion
public health measures, medical services and medicines without co-
HEALTH payment, accessibility of the health system, digitization and adapted
information
continuation of studies for UA children, training and capacity building of
Romanian and UA human resources, adaptation of the educational resources,
EDUCATION inter-agency partnerships for child identification and technical expertise,
digitization and adapted information
Cross-cutting intervention
facilitating access to the labor market, increasing the capacity of the public
LABOR employment service, proactive measures (mentoring, courses, consultancy, measures:
information), informing employers, mapping the skills and qualifications of UA
refugees - connecting to the demand
1. Access to official and
reliable info
ensuring access to available social housing, access to available public
HOUSNG housing, rehabilitation/renovation of unused buildings 2. Preventing abuse and
exploitation risks
CHILDREN AND
identification of UA children, ensuring access to the protection system, support for
children with special needs, capacity building, coordination with UA authorities,
Budget:
YOUTH expansion of youth center activities, activities dedicated to UA youth, development
of the network of youth centers and diversification of activities
200 mil. Euros/year
identifying vulnerable people, creating databases with needs, informing vulnerable
VULNERABLE people, training local representatives - reaction/response to the needs of vulnerable
PERSONS people, adapting the legal framework, facilitating access to social services,
developing the capacity of public and private social service providers
Other highlights
1. 2 3 4
Information
112 and119 in UA campaign – BEP
protectieucraina.gov.ro anchetaucraina.mpublic.ro
language – Temporary
Protection
CHALLENGES
NATIONAL CHALLENGES COMMON CHALLENGES?
Long-term housing Access to financial benefits
Sufficient attention to host Disinformation
communities
Adequate support for vulnerable Tracking unaccompanied minors
groups
Language barrier and the specific Risks of trafficking in persons and
profile of the UA population in RO exploitation
Exhaustion of the volunteers and
civil society resources
Working together for solutions…
• Sharing research, practices and solutions for national challenges
• Co-creating solutions for common challenges
DIALOG PLATFORM FOR REFUGEE INCLUSION
• Driving political decision and commitment
• Shaping together a common vision on major areas of concern
so as to avoid duplication of efforts and push/pull factors
• Complementing EC cooperation mechanisms at political and
policy level
Thank you!
MARIA MĂDĂLINA TURZA
+40737.545.955
[email protected]
The European
benchmark for Refugee integration in 14 EU Member
refugee integration States: Lessons for temporary protection
Alexander Wolffhardt
Migration Policy Group
Monitoring refugee integration
Acknowledgment of long-term integration as durable solution for
beneficiaries of international protection (BIPs)
Enduring process of developing and implementing comprehensive
integration policies which address specific needs of BIPs
Regular monitoring of government policies for the integration of BIPs in
EU countries to help
o identify policy gaps and needs due to migration reasons and
trajectory
o identify good practices in integration support &
facilitate mutual learning and policy transfer
Comprehensive integration - dimensions
General conditions Socio-economic integration
Impact of reception on integration Housing
Overall Mainstreaming Employment
Vocational training &
Legal integration employment-related education
Residency Health
Family reunification Social security
Access to citizenship
Socio-cultural integration
Education
= Language learning & social
= Monitoring dimensions orientation
Building bridges & fostering
participation
Building blocks of a comprehensive integration framework
Step: Setting the Legal Framework – Introduce legislation to foster integration through
secure residence and equal access to basic rights and public services Legal indicators
Step: Building the Policy Framework – Develop policies, programmes and services which
actively support the integration process Policy indicators
Step: Implementation & Collaboration - Create the infrastructure and cooperation
structures to implement policies, programmes and services in partnership with all relevant
stakeholders (relevant ministries, local authorities, NGOs,...)? Governance indicators
Step: Providing Financial & Human Resources - Commit sufficient financial and staff
resources and effectively use EU financial support Resource indicators
Step: Reliable Data & Evaluation - Have the necessary data available to plan polices and
evaluate their success Statistical and administrative data indicators
= Depiction of monitoring results
Common understanding of comprehensive integration in EU:
Indicators derived from EU & international standards
International legal standards
Geneva Convention, Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
European Convention on Human Rights, UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, European Convention on Nationality
EU legal standards
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,
Qualification Directive, Family Reunification Directive,
Reception Conditions Directive, Temporary Protection Directive
EU policy standards
Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy,
Partnership principle in EU programmes
NIEM National Integration Evaluation Mechansism
Evidence-based tool to identify gaps & needs – Roadmap to
comprehensive integration framework
Based on indicators to measure quality of policies and & state of
development
Results 2017, 2019 and 2021 for 14 Member States
Assessment until now focused on recognised refugees &
beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
BG
Country results along integration dimensions: strengths & weaknesses
Temporary protection: starting points
Step: Building the Policy Framework - Develop policies, programmes and services
which actively support the integration process indicators on
o the availability, scope and duration of targeted provisions and services;
o provisions for special needs groups and needs-based criteria for the allocation of
goods and services;
o the absence of administrative barriers;
o awareness-raising/information for stakeholders and beneficiaries
Opened and scaled up for beneficiaries of temporary protection?
Building the Policy
Framework
e.g. Employment
Average score for 14 Member States: 37.2
Best scoring country: 97.2
Worst scoring country: 5.5
on scale 0-100, as of 31 March 2021
Building the Policy
Framework
e.g. Employment
High integration standards ask to…
3 Member States
4 Member States
7 Member States
out of 14 Member States, as of
31 March 2021
Temporary protection: starting points
Step: Implementation & Collaboration - Create the infrastructure and cooperation
structures to implement policies, programmes and services („whole-of-government &
whole-of-society approach“) indicators on
o the existence and implementation of an overall refugee integration policy/strategy;
o mainstreaming of integration across all relevant policy fields;
o multi-level and multi-sectoral coordination with local and regional authorities,
social partners and civil society in the key dimensions of employment, vocational
training, education, housing, health and social security;
o acknowledgment of integration as a two-way process and support for an active
role on the part of the receiving society; and
o encouragement of the participation of BIPs in society and integration policy making
Collaboration &
Implementation
e.g. Overall mainstreaming
Average score for 14 Member States: 43.5
Best scoring country: 91.7
Worst scoring country: 0.0
on scale 0-100, as of 31 March 2021
Collaboration &
Implementation
e.g. Overall mainstreaming
High integration standards ask to…
6 Member States
3 Member States
2 Member States
out of 14 Member States, as of
31 March 2021
Moving forward
Need to build comprehensive integration frameworks for all categories of
benficiaries of international protection to address their common needs
Need for whole-of-government & whole-of-society approach: mainstreaming
across policy areas, involvement of local & regional authorities and civil
society, long-term inclusion perspective
Need to diminish the gaps between Member States in integration support
and opportunities for BIPs: good practice transfer, improved coordination and
benchmarking, use of EU funds, stronger EU-wide harmonisation
Need for regular evidence-based review of integration framworks in place for
BIPs; EU-wide monitoring including temporary protection
Thank you for your
attention!
www.forintegration.eu
www.migpolgroup.com
Alexander Wolffhardt
Deputy director
Migration Policy Group
Brussels
[email protected]
UKRAINE CRISIS 2022:
6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE
An IOM team conducts a needs assessment in Trostianets, Sumy Region, Northern Ukraine. © IOM 2022/Marco Chimenton
SITUATION OVERVIEW
KEY FIGURES
17.7M
PEOPLE IN NEED
6.6M
INTERNALLY
(08 August 2022, OCHA)
DISPLACED PEOPLE
(23 July 2022, IOM DTM)
6.6M
REFUGEES
303K
TCNs
(17 August 2022, UNHCR) (entered Moldova, Romania,
Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland as
of 10 August 2022, IOM DTM)
Ukrainian refugees and Third Country Nationals (TCNs) arrive at
the Palanca border point in Moldova. ©IOM 2022/Muse Mohammed.
24 August marks six months since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, The heaviest fighting continues to be centred in Eastern and Southern Ukraine,
which began in February 2022 and triggered the largest displacement within though at the beginning of the war, the front line also spread across the
Europe since the Second World War. This date also marks 31 years since north, causing heavy damage in areas like Chernihiv and Sumy, and almost
Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union. reaching the capital city, Kyiv. Through many parts of the country, deadly
artillery and missile attacks continue in civilian occupied areas, putting lives
Six months into the full-scale war, it is now estimated that 6.6 million Ukrainians
in danger and damaging critical infrastructure. Millions are without access to
have fled the country, and an additional 6.6 million are internally displaced
many necessities for life such as water, food, healthcare, sanitation, gas, and
within the country. This represents a displacement of nearly one-third of the
electricity. Destruction of property, infrastructure, and livelihoods continues
country’s population, making it one of the largest human displacement crises
to lead to displacement, increased vulnerabilities and loss of life. Shelling and
in the world today. As of 15 August, the UN Human Rights Monitoring
other fighting near critical infrastructure, including Europe’s largest nuclear
Mission in Ukraine has verified over 13,000 civilian casualties (5,514 people
power plant, risk further catastrophe.
killed and 7,698 injured) since the start of the war, with the actual number
believed to be significantly higher. The majority of casualties have occurred in
eastern Ukraine, specifically Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which have faced Financing the response
some of the most intense shelling and fighting of the war.
Including those who have been displaced, suffered injury, or otherwise been
affected as a result of the full-scale invasion, it is estimated that there are $ 298 MILLION
now more than 17.7 million people, representing nearly one-quarter of the received to date out of
population, in need of humanitarian assistance. These estimates include the
$ 514 MILLION
Ukrainians who have remained in their home communities but whose lives
have nevertheless been severely disrupted. They are staying in damaged homes,
basements, and bomb shelters; they have lost livelihoods and their access to
essential services as infrastructure and supply chains have been decimated
required
across the country.
IOM is deeply grateful to the governments, organizations, and
Persons with specific vulnerabilities, including older persons, unaccompanied individuals who have contributed to its Ukraine crisis response. In
and separated children, and persons with disabilities have faced particular addition to funding raised against the IOM Flash Appeal, thanks to
hardship, as have the estimated almost half a million third-country nationals the flexibility and understanding of its donors IOM has been able to
(TCNs) who were living in Ukraine when the fighting escalated. Around repurpose and reprogramme previously existing funding to adapt
300,000 TCNs have left Ukraine since the crisis began, with many forced to to changing realities in Ukraine. This flexibility has allowed IOM to
overcome a frequently shifting security situation, complicated transit routes, rapidly scale up its activities and respond to needs on the ground
and conflicting or unclear information. as they evolve.
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 2
With the ubiquitous sound of air sirens booming overhead as air strikes and fertilizer. Disruptions to these supply chains have exacerbated food shortages,
shelling intermittently continue in much of the country, the people inside creating what the World Food Programme describes as an “unprecedented
Ukraine have gone without a moment’s peace over the last half-year, and global food crisis,” sending food prices climbing around the world and pushing
face an uncertain future ahead. In addition to the physical effects, six months food-vulnerable countries towards disaster.
of war have put an enormous burden on the mental health of people inside
This report offers a picture of how the first six months of war have impacted
Ukraine as well as those who have fled. According to the Ukrainian Ministry
the lives of Ukrainians, TCNs and host communities, and how IOM staff have
of Health, approximately 15 million people are in need of psychological
worked tirelessly to mobilize life-saving interventions to help meet the needs
support as a result of the war.
of those affected by the war. It concludes by looking forward to continued
The full-scale invasion has had far-reaching effects across both the region and acute needs on the horizon, as well as the importance of working towards
the world. Historically, Ukraine has been one of the largest exporters of grain, sustainable solutions over the medium-term.
and the Russian Federation has been one of the most important suppliers of
BETTER RESPONSE THROUGH BETTER DATA
Since the start of the war, IOM has not only worked to provide direct Furthermore IOM has conducted a number of studies in neighbouring
assistance to affected populations but has also provided a better countries, including of those fleeing from the war and those entering or
understanding of these individuals’ situations in order to inform the re-entering Ukraine.
response by IOM, governments, and the international community. IOM’s
Through IOM’s assessments, governments and the humanitarian
Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) programme seeks to understand
community are able to identify the needs, movements, and intentions of
where affected people are, their most urgent needs, and their intentions
affected persons. For example, as shown in the diagram below, the most
for the coming period. Since the start of the Russian invasion, IOM has
recent round of population surveys completed in July 2022 indicates that
conducted more than 50,000 surveys across Ukraine and the region,
displaced persons in Ukraine are increasingly identifying cash (financial
providing crucial insights to inform evidence-based humanitarian actions
assistance) as an immediate need, with 78% of people citing it as a top
and policy.
priority in July 2022, compared to 49% of respondents in mid-March. Data
Inside Ukraine, IOM has implemented seven rounds of a representative also shows increased demand for food over time. Tracking these changes
general population survey between March and July 2022, tracking internal in sentiment over time can help IOM and other actors see how factors
displacement and mobility flows and gathering insights into the situation like depletion of household savings from protracted loss of livelihood
and needs of vulnerable population groups across thematic areas. IOM activities are affecting the population and allow for targeted interventions
has also built a field presence and a network of key informants across 20 to address the most pressing needs.
regions of Ukraine and the capital city, monitoring the recorded presence
More information, including datasets and analytical reports on the Ukraine
of IDPs at municipality level.
crisis, is available here.
The evolving needs of internally displaced persons
78% of IDPs list
cash as a top
priority need, compared to
only 49% six months ago.
16 March 1 April 17 April 3 May 23 May 23 June 23 July
16 March 1 April 17 April 3 May 23 May 23 June 23 July
Cash - Financial Support Clothes and Shoes, other NFI Medicines and Health Services
Cash - Financial Support Clothes and Shoes, other NFI Medicines and Health Services
32%
28%
28%
26%
28%
25%
20%
20%
19%
19%
19%
17%
18%
17%
18%
17%
15%
16%
15%
16%
11%
FOOD TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION OR MEANS
OF COMMUNICATIONS
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 3
OVERVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS
INSIDE UKRAINE WATER, SANITATION
NON-FOOD ITEMS AND HYGIENE
319,738
individuals reached
150,674
individuals reached
HEALTH
26,441
SITE MANAGEMENT
SUPPORT
32,928 TOTAL: individuals reached
762,287 *
individuals reached
MULTI-PURPOSE SHELTER
22,495
CASH ASSISTANCE individuals reached with
83,823
IOM support
individuals reached
individuals reached
FOOD SECURITY, LIVELIHOODS,
AND RESILIENCE
77,951
MENTAL HEALTH AND
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
m SIT individuals reached
PROTECTION 10,578
40,068 314,800
services provided
individuals reached through individuals reached through *Figures are estimated as of 18 August 2022. Total does not include
direct assistance information provision individuals reached through information provision campaigns.
This map is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE |4
OVERVIEW OF ACHIEVEMENTS
IN SELECTED NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES NON-FOOD ITEMS
WATER, SANITATION 16,445 HUMANITARIAN
MOVEMENT
45,287
AND HYGIENE individuals reached
40,364 TOTAL: individuals reached
POLAND
162,131
individuals reached
* HEALTH
SITE MANAGEMENT
SUPPORT 11,025
11,000
individuals reached with individuals reached
IOM support
SLOVAKIA
individuals reached FOOD SECURITY, LIVELIHOODS,
MOLDOVA AND RESILIENCE
MENTAL HEALTH AND
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
HUNGARY
6,680
8,431
services provided
ROMANIA individuals reached
CASH-BASED
INTERVENTIONS
PROTECTION
13,354 57,489
SHELTER 4,665
individuals reached through
direct assistance
individuals reached through
information provision
4,635
individuals reached
individuals reached
*Figures are estimated as of 18 August 2022. Total does not include
individuals reached through information provision campaigns.
This map is for illustration purposes only. Names and boundaries on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by IOM.
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE |5
RESPONDING QUICKLY AND RAMPING UP
With a longstanding operational footprint in the region and significant humanitarian
CAPACITY AND BUDGET
operations in Ukraine since 2014, IOM was exceptionally well-positioned to rapidly scale-up
its activities in order to provide support to both the systems and people who were affected
by the sudden onset of the crisis. Even before the war escalated on 24 February, IOM had
multiple contingency plans in place to be able to react quickly in support of people in need. BEFORE AFTER SIX
In the first days of the war, IOM capitalized on its presence and programming in Eastern THE WAR & MONTHS
Ukraine, adapting long-term interventions and capacity to provide life-saving support. Teams
109
in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and the Republic of Moldova worked in coordination
with governments to facilitate safe movements of people from border crossing points
into capital cities. To provide relief to systems overburdened by huge numbers of people 40 STAFF
crossing into Moldova, IOM quickly established a “Green Corridor” to help people move
from Moldova into Romania, where existing infrastructure was better equipped to handle
the strain from such large flows of people. IOM also worked with governments, including
MOLDOVA
3.8M BUDGET 20.2M
under the EU Solidarity Platform, to facilitate voluntary transfers of affected individuals to
114
countries across Europe, helping people, often amongst the most vulnerable, get where
they want to go and to countries eager to accept them.
42 STAFF
In the earliest days of the conflict, IOM
worked closely with local organizations
and governments in all
ROMANIA 2.4M BUDGET
9.7M
neighbouring countries
UKRAINE to suppor t the
404 515
arriving people with
10 55
AFTER SIX MONTHS
BEFORE THE WAR
critical information STAFF
40.2M
and humanitarian
797K 6.4M
STAFF
BUDGET
228M assistance, as well as
to ensure the monitoring
HUNGARY BUDGET
and reporting of flows,
screening for vulnerabilities
and needs related to
physical and psychological 18 STAFF 97
1.7M 20.5M
health, and working to
ensure smooth, safe, and orderly
POLAND BUDGET
movement. This work included the rapid training of government officials and local
humanitarian responders on identification and referral of persons needing specific care,
30 125
including survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence (GBV), unaccompanied and
separated children (UASC), persons with disabilities, and persons living with chronic medical
STAFF
7.5M
conditions (non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis, and HIV, among others). IOM’s strong
and longstanding relationship with border authorities in the region, who faced up to 15 times
the volume of normal border flows, enabled rapid technical assistance and equipment to
SLOVAKIA
1.9M BUDGET
help manage this extraordinary situation while ensuring sensitivity to particular vulnerabilities
of the population fleeing the war. IOM also worked with border authorities to provide *Estimates of budgets from before the war are based on 2021 operating budgets.
emergency non-food items for distribution to those persons in need.
As shown in the graphics below, IOM’s missions in Ukraine and neighbouring countries also quickly ramped up their capacity and have continued to do so in the
following months. Rapid response teams and surge staffing have deployed across the regi on, with 330 IOM staff having been deployed since 21 February from
IOM missions worldwide to support operations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. IOM expanded capacity significantly to manage increased operational
demands, bringing on local and international talent, establishing new sub-offices, and growing a large network of local partners already on the ground. In Ukraine
alone, IOM’s network of more than 50 implementing partners and 10 sub-offices have enabled operational presence in every region of the country.
Surge staffing support
7%
8%
19%
Hungary
Slovakia
50
330
TOTAL STAFF
40
7% DEPLOYED
Romania 30
148
FEMALE
182
MALE
Poland 20
24% 10
35% Moldova
0
Ukraine Humanitarian Emergency Displacement Shelter Site Protection Cash-Based
Movement Coordination Tracking Matrix NFI management Interventions
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 6
Supporting the internally displaced to
find community and build resilience
I
nternally displaced persons (IDPs) are those who have been journeys to reach safety, completely exhausted, both physically and
forced to flee their homes or place of habitual residence in emotionally… In the midst of all this chaos, people weren’t able to
Ukraine and have had to find shelter in regions or communities process what they were going through,” explains Olha.
within the country. It is estimated that following six months
IOM’s MHPSS services assist those struggling with feelings of
of war, nearly 6.6 million people have been displaced internally
distress, helping them to cope with the severely disruptive events
within Ukraine.
they have endured in recent months. IOM has provided training for
For these individuals, although they remain in their own country, hundreds of staff working in Ukraine on psychological first aid and
their displacement has nonetheless dramatically impacted their life. how to identify and support those most in need. Psychosocial teams
For many, meeting even the most basic needs can be a challenge and psychologists working in mobile clinics have also provided
as savings diminish, livelihoods and markets are disrupted, and nearly 6,000 individual counselling and psychotherapy
finding work has become extremely difficult. According to the consultations since 24 February. These mobile approaches
most recent household survey carried out by IOM DTM, nearly bring care to people where they are, including in hard-to-
60 per cent of the population lost their jobs due to the war. reach areas. For those internally displaced, who may be
This deterioration of the economy has led to a dramatic rise in the separated from their normal support networks, mental
number of people who have been left with no choice but to turn health services and counselling are especially critical
to humanitarian assistance to survive. For those who are internally particularly if individuals are struggling with feelings of
displaced, in unfamiliar communities, and often severed from other uncertainty over where they will go or what they will
social networks, these needs become particularly pronounced. do next.
IOM is working to help both provide immediate assistance to these
vulnerable populations, but also build more durable solutions for While psychosocial support is available to address an
integrating and establishing new livelihoods of these individuals array of needs, IOM psychologists have observed that
within new communities. feelings of loneliness and isolation are widespread
among the displaced. Many families in Ukraine have
However, the displacement, uncertainty, and living under constant been separated by the war, with some members
fear of physical threat for the previous six months has often going abroad and others displaced within the country
impacted the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of people in or choosing to remain at home. IOM psychologists
Ukraine. From the beginning of the war, IOM has engaged with the like Olha attempt to help those displaced and
Ministry of Health, national health authorities, and implementing empower them to find new opportunities for
partners to provide IDPs and host populations with life-saving growth, volunteering, and establishing new routines
health services, including mental health and psychosocial support
to enable them to form new connections and build new
(MHPSS) services.
communities. “Everything depends on one’s attitude,”
Olha, a psychologist with the IOM mobile medical clinic in the Lviv explains a couple from Kharkiv, who fled home and now
Region, has been providing psychosocial support to people in need reside in a school in Lviv Region along with 80 other IDPs.
since the start of the full-scale invasion. “At the beginning of the war, “Before, we had a narrow family circle, whereas now we Psychologists at mobile clinics disseminate information on the IOM
Emotional Support Hotline. © IOM2022/Alisa Kyrpychova
people were in a critical state. They didn’t sleep or eat for days at have a wide one. We find new things to do every day: take a
a time, hiding in basements; they had to endure long and difficult walk to the lake, go to church, help others.” CONTINUED
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE |7
...Psychosocial teams and
psychologists working in mobile
clinics have provided individual
counselling and psychotherapy
to nearly 6,000 people since 24
February.
Psychologists working with IOM’s implementing partner Sheptytsky
Hospital now regularly conduct individual, family, and group
counselling with both displaced and local children, teenagers, couples,
men, women, and older people. During group counselling sessions,
people can learn how to cope with stress and understand the ways in
which their mental and physical health are connected. Consultations
are carried out in a safe, private, and comfortable space in IDP
centres or IOM mobile clinics. Since 24 February, IOM has also been
expanding its Emotional Support Hotline to reach more people calling
from more countries and in more languages, including Arabic, Bangla,
English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
In addition, IOM is scaling up its community-based Mental Health
and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programme in order to improve
the well-being of people affected by the war through psychosocial
mobile teams. IOM supported local psychosocial initiatives such as art
activities for children in Zakaparttia and cultural tours for displaced
children in Lviv oblast where displaced children and their parents
were given a chance to connect and go on day visits to historical
sites in the oblast that currently hosts them.
To learn more about the work that Olha and other mental health
professionals with IOM are doing to support those affected by the
conflict, read more here.
If you have been affected by the war and need support, please call
the IOM Emotional Support Hotline.
IOM’s emotional support hotline was expanded to help more people in need of psychological support.
© IOM 2022/Gema Cortes
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE |8
New beginnings for third country nationals
M
any foreign nationals who were in Ukraine to work, study, allowing him to travel back to his home country. Prior to his departure,
or for other reasons, were forced to flee to neighbouring he considered his options, including staying in his home country for
countries, when the full-scale war began. These third country a while to give some relief to his worried parents. At the same time,
nationals (TCNs) often require support in obtaining documentation Harold worried for the well-being of his sister and nephew, and for the
and coordinating any onward travel. In addition to witnessing and safety of his many Ukrainian friends who stayed in the country to fight.
experiencing first-hand the horrors of the war, many find themselves
Along with Harold, IOM has provided support to tens of thousands of
disconnected from support networks and stranded without sufficient
TCNs inside of Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. IOM provides
funds or adequate information. Many embassies and consulates in
transport services both out of Ukraine and from neighbouring
Ukraine were shut down and have been unable to coordinate
countries onward. TCNs and other groups traveling, often with limited
or afford onward transport. These factors make them
documentation and resources, are particularly vulnerable to violence,
vulnerable to discrimination, violence, human trafficking and
exploitation and abuse. This makes it critical that these individuals
smuggling, and other human rights abuses. According to
receive IOM’s protection screening – identifying unaccompanied and
IOM data, more than 300,000 TCNs have left Ukraine
separated minors, victims of trafficking, and other special cases that
and arrived in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and
need to receive appropriate support. Since the full-scale escalation of
the Republic of Moldova.
the war, IOM has screened thousands of people across the response,
Harold, a 23-year-old man from Colombia, is including TCNs, to help ensure
one such person. “I was so excited when I first that these vulnerable groups
moved to Ukraine. I hated the cold but loved the are transiting freely and safely. “I was so excited when I
country,” Harold said. “We have many violence- Additionally, IOM assists and first moved to Ukraine. I
related restrictions in Colombia, so I was happy enables access to healthcare
that I could finally walk the streets carefree and services for TCNs who are
hated the cold but loved
enjoy some much-needed freedom.” Harold came often otherwise left out of the the country.”
to Ukraine in search of affordable university studies, national healthcare systems
choosing to study Russian and Ukrainian to support where they find themselves –
his integration into the local society. While studying, allowing these populations to receive the care they need.
Harold worked in digital marketing to provide himself
IOM staff are supporting TCNs who were caught in the war and
with a decent living. “Everything was going well, life was
now wish to return to their country of origin. IOM offices throughout
good,” he recalled.
Europe work to arrange cost-free travel, provide health screenings
That all changed when, hearing air raid sirens, Harold to ensure they are fit-for-travel and medical escorts when necessary,
decided to search for safety outside of the country, and offer accommodation, and other humanitarian and protection
leaving behind his belongings and everything else he had, support during their journeys. As TCNs are often forced to flee with
including his passport. He reached out to some fellow little notice and carrying few belongings, local IOM offices offer services
Colombians who recounted being stuck at border upon arrival to help facilitate reintegration and address any acute
crossing points for days, being forced to sleep on floors. needs. IOM’s well-established work in this field and global operational
Harold’s sister and her son went to Moldova, choosing footprint have facilitated prompt support to those affected by the crisis
to wait there in the hopes that the war would end soon. in Ukraine regardless of where they call home.
Harold made it safely to Romania where IOM provided him To learn more about Harold’s journey and the work of IOM in supporting
A total of 23 Ghanaian migrants who had fled Ukraine safely returned home
with accommodation and helped him acquire documentation other third-country nationals, read more here.
this March from Romania with IOM’s support. © IOM 2022/Lucian Ştirb
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE |9
Bringing light to people remaining
in war-affected areas
D
ue to the need to care for family members, health limitations, constant source of electricity enables those who are displaced to hear
lack of resources, uncertainty of where to go, or simply a desire their loved ones’ voices once again.
to stay in one’s own home, civilians often choose or are forced
Since 24 February, IOM has delivered more than 71,000 solar lamps
to remain in areas affected by violence, despite the danger. IOM
to affected communities in 10 regions of Ukraine as part of broad
and partners have worked tirelessly to reach vulnerable populations who
delivery of non-food assistance to people in need. In total, more than
remain in some of the hardest hit parts of the country.
700,000 items have been distributed to 24 different regions across
Natalia is a 40-year-old mother who lives in Kharkiv, an area that has Ukraine, much of this with the support of a growing network of over
seen some of the most intense fighting of the war. She is staying in a 50 implementing partners and financial and in-kind contributions from
dark, overcrowded cellar alongside several members of her family and donors around the world.
dozens of others hiding from near-constant air raids occurring nearby.
Delivery of such a huge amount of humanitarian assistance into a
“We were under very fierce shelling. We had nowhere to run, so we
warzone has been made possible thanks to a massive supply-chain
went down to the shelter,” Natalia explains. “We have experienced a
operation mobilized by IOM in the first days of the conflict. IOM
lot of things here – births, caring for pregnant women, children and a
established a complex cross-border operation spanning land, air,
person suffering a heart attack.”
and sea to bring life-saving items to the most conflict-affected
Even as the war intensifies, assistance from IOM is being delivered to people across Ukraine. This network includes 14 warehouses
help those like Natalia who are living in shelters that were not initially inside Ukraine and three in neighbouring countries
designed to accommodate people. Beyond the necessities like food and with almost 25,000 m3 of space to hold critical items
medicine, these people are often desperate for news from their family. for distribution. IOM has directly facilitated 620 of
In addition to providing mattresses, blankets, hygiene and kitchen items, the estimated 1,250 total trucks that have carried
IOM also provides solar lamps which can charge mobile devices. This humanitarian assistance from the United Nations
into Ukraine and has helped facilitate the timely
movement of humanitarian goods across
borders through its work with authorities
in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
IOM’s work facilitating movement of
goods across the border has not only
been crucial to addressing humanitarian
needs in the first six months of the war
but will also be essential going forward “We have experienced a lot of things
as the country faces a harsh winter and,
here – births, caring for pregnant
further down the line, the enormous
challenge of reconstruction. women, children and a person
To learn more about IOM’s efforts to suffering a heart attack.”
Hospitals receiving solar lamps from IOM in Chernihiv region. deliver critical items in war-affected
© NGO “Ukrainian Prism” 2022
areas, read more here. Chernihiv Region resident whose house has been destroyed.
© NGO “Ukrainian Prism” 2022
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 10
Supporting refugees in search of home
“IOM staff helped me with all my questions concerning health care and
how to receive temporary refuge,” she says.
Innovative projects such as providing cost-free accommodation to fleeing
Ukrainians through the Airbnb.org short-term housing projects have
provided moments of respite for refugees and other affected individuals
like Mariia in Romania, Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Hungary, and
the Slovak Republic. In total across the region, this project has provided
more than 97,000 safe nights for those fleeing, including Ukrainian
refugees and TCNs.
To learn more about Mariia’s journey, read more here.
Before the war in Ukraine broke out, Mariia was living a quiet life with her husband in the countryside.
©IOM 2022/Barbora Kratochvilova and Kristina Tokac.
S
ince the start of the war, around 10.6 million border crossings there. When word came that Russian troops may head towards her
leaving Ukraine to neighbouring countries have occurred, village, Mariia and those staying in her home decided it was time to
with an estimated 6.6 million Ukrainian refugees currently residing leave the country. Heavily pregnant and with only a small backpack of
in neighbouring countries. essentials, Mariia separated from her husband at the Moldovan border.
Through tears, she recalls the words she said to her husband when
Refugees often face unique challenges and vulnerabilities when they parted at the border: “If something happens, I will name our son
compared to those who remain in their country. Confronted with in your honour.”
learning a new language and culture, and unsure of how long they may
need to remain within their country of refuge, it can be difficult for After long queues, Mariia finally
entered Moldova, ultimately
More than 97,000 safe
them to secure stable employment, access social services, and enrol
children in school. IOM has welcomed the decision by the European moving through several countries nights have been provided
Union to enact the Temporary Protection Directive for people affected before ending her journey in through the IOM and
by the crisis in Ukraine and works to support national governments in Slovakia. As Mariia was travelling
alone and required regular doctor AirBnB partnership.
ensuring that Ukrainian refugees and eligible TCNs have access to health
care, shelter, education, social and protection-related services, and appointments, finding stable and safe
employment. IOM has worked to find innovative solutions to address housing, as well as access to antenatal
these challenges and allow refugees to begin rebuilding their lives. and postnatal healthcare was critically important for her. Mariia was able
to stay in an apartment in Bratislava, Slovakia at no cost, while longer-term
Mariia, a 25-year-old public relations manager from Kyiv, was living in solutions were sought out thanks to a partnership between IOM and the Mariia is one of over 450,000 people who fled Ukraine into Moldova.
a quiet village on the outskirts of Cherkasy when the war began. She Airbnb.org short-term housing project. The apartment’s central location ©IOM 2022/Alissa Everett
opened her home to allow as many as 17 guests at a time to take shelter and IOM support made it easy for Mariia to access essential services:
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 11
Iryna and Kostiantyn live in one of the dormitories in Stryi, Lviv Region, where several floors are designated for displaced families © IOM 2022/Alisa Kyrpychova
Specialized help for people
with specific needs
W
hile the war in Ukraine has affected the entire country, children,
including unaccompanied and separated children, older people,
and people with disabilities and chronic medical conditions are
particularly vulnerable. The Committee on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities estimates that around 2.7 million people with
disabilities, particularly among older people, are at risk inside Ukraine. In the
context of war, many face particular risks from gender-based violence and
trafficking, and both those at risk and survivors need specialized support.
Disabled and elderly people have often become separated from their normal
social networks and caregivers during the war and may find themselves without
access to life-sustaining medication and medical devices, oxygen supplies, food,
water, and support for daily living. It is paramount that specific care needs,
social services and ongoing treatments be continued for these individuals.
IOM has worked diligently to reach this particularly vulnerable population,
helping ensure that no one is left behind.
...around 2.7 million people
Iryna and Kostiantyn, both 65 years old, came from the hard-hit Kharkiv region.
with disabilities, particularly
Unable to repeatedly climb up and down the stairs from their 10th floor among older people, are at
apartment to shelter in the basement, the couple fled for safety to western
Ukraine. “The near-constant shelling and planes overhead – it was very scary. risk inside Ukraine.
We packed at night and got into the first train. It took us 27 hours to get
here,” the couple explains. IOM provided a place in dormitories in Lviv with Inside Ukraine, where approximately 77 per cent of IDPs identify cash as
floors designated to specifically support displaced families, including those with a priority need, IOM has provided multi-purpose cash assistance to
children, older people, and living with disabilities. Iryna and Kostiantyn explain, more than 83,000 of the most vulnerable people. Programmes offering
“We were nervous that we would not be allowed to live in the dormitory cash-based assistance also exist and are rolling out in some neighbouring
with our dogs. But everyone enjoys playing with them. We were lucky.” countries. Using a cash-based modality offers a number of benefits in places
with functioning markets. It helps ensure that IOM supports meeting the
IOM provides a range of specialized and general support to the many immediate needs of people in a way that is most suited to their preferences
vulnerable people affected by the conflict unable to secure livelihoods and and which offers agency to those whose lives have been uprooted. Looking
unable to care for themselves. In Slovakia, IOM provides cash-based assistance forward, IOM will continue to rapidly scale up its cash-based interventions in
to family members that provide full-time care for Ukrainian adults living with both Ukraine and surrounding countries in line with growing needs.
disabilities. This programme, which mirrors an approach used by the Slovak
government, not only helps address the needs of the most vulnerable, but To learn more about Iryna and Kostiantyn, and others IOM has supported in
supports entire families to meet basic needs. the conflict, read more here.
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 12
Host communities in neighbouring countries
Workers at these centres support newly arrived migrants by providing
critical information which can help ease anxieties and find the resources
they need.
One such example is in Slovakia, where IOM has been operating a
Migration Information Centre (MIC) in Košice, a city near the border of
western Ukraine, since 2006. When the war began, efforts at the MIC
were immediately scaled up, and legal consultants have been present at
the borders providing information on the country of Slovakia, as well as
legal, social and employment advice, since the earliest days of the war. The
MIC also provides support on-site and remotely through email, hotlines
and in-person appointments. Since the start of the war, the Košice MIC
IOM officer assessing needs at a temporary accommodation center in has provided support to more than 6,800 Ukrainians, helping vulnerable
Vinnytsia. ©IOM 2022/Gema Cortes populations transition into the community hosting them in Slovakia.
A
One of the most important parts of MICs is that they are well-established
s a result of the sudden displacement of more than 6 million on basis of trust between those working and those seeking help. MICs
refugees from Ukraine, many governments and residents of often rely on volunteers support from host communities, but also staff
neighbouring countries have generously opened their housing, from amongst the population in need to facilitate a more approachable
healthcare, education, and social service systems to welcome and trustworthy relationship. Host communities may feel strained from
those fleeing from the war. The support and generosity of national new arrivals as available resources can be limited, but arrivals bring
governments and local communities has allowed displaced Ukrainians and with them skills, knowledge, culture, and many other opportunities to
eligible TCNs to not only find shelter and safety, but also start rebuilding contribute and innovate in these societies. Initiatives like the MIC promote
their lives. the inclusion of refugees within their new communities, helping match
Shortly after the conflict began, the European Union (EU) announced for their skills to the needs of local labour markets.
the first time in its history, the activation of the Temporary Protection As the war continues, it will be critical for the international community to
Directive, which is designed to give large groups of people protected support inclusion and self-sufficiency of refugees, mitigating exploitation
status and ensure they are not sent back to danger. It provides Ukrainians and ensuring their needs are met in a sustainable way. As these refugees
and eligible TCNs who have fled the war with the right to stay in the EU integrate into existing systems, this will also allow them to contribute their
for up to a year (with a possibility to extend for up to three years), and abilities to host communities, thereby reducing risk of tensions.
thereby access to housing, healthcare, education and other social services
and benefits. Some European countries further afield from Ukraine have
also sought to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Through the EU Solidarity Since the start of the war, the Košice
Mechanism, IOM has worked with EU countries to facilitate movements
and support people with health checks to help the EU fulfil its pledge of MIC has provided support to more than
receiving more than 17,870 refugees through this mechanism. 6,800 Ukrainians, helping vulnerable
Newly arrived refugees often have questions about their rights and populations transition into the
available services. To help orient new refugees and eligible TCNs, IOM
Andrii, Oksana and their three daughters live in two rooms at a housing
facility of a natural reserve, which was turned into an accommodation has worked with host community members to set up resource and
community hosting them in Slovakia.
centre for internally displaced persons. ©IOM 2022/Ivan Riznyk information centres at border areas and capitals in neighbouring countries.
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 13
THE NEXT 6 MONTHS
IOM delivers aid to Irpin, Kyiv Region. ©IOM 2022/Viktoria Zhabokrytska
Looking ahead, the future of the war in Ukraine remains uncertain. Over the next few months, IOM will expand its cash-based programming to
IOM recognizes that the needs in the next six months are likely to look support those in need to procure the daily necessities needed for survival.
different than the needs of the previous six months as the war increasingly Given the rapidly changing dynamics of the war and access to services and
shifts towards one of a protracted nature. Affected people have already markets will be unpredictable, cash-based interventions (CBI) serve as a
expressed a wide and dynamic array of prioritized needs and challenges cornerstone for flexible programming to reach displaced populations both
and it will be critical that humanitarian operations remain poised to in and outside of Ukraine, and allow family units to fill gaps based on their
adapt. At the same time, the longer-term needs of displaced Ukrainians own assessment of their own needs. IOM will continue to monitor needs and
and host communities supporting them will also need to be addressed displacements through frequent DTM assessments of the affected population,
in a sustainable manner, be it through technical assistance to normalize to ensure its programming remains reactive to the humanitarian situation on
humanitarian services or to enable self-reliance for those affected. the ground, providing financial or in-kind assistance and services wherever
they are needed most.
Continued life-saving response
In the near term, it is expected that acute vulnerabilities and humanitarian Facilitating inclusion in neighbouring countries
needs will remain high and likely even increase. As the war continues and
National education, healthcare and social service systems in neighbouring
with the savings of some Ukrainian families dwindling, many people may soon
countries have generously supported many Ukrainians and eligible TCNs who
find they lack resources to cover their basic needs. Additionally, with winter
have fled the war, but the unexpected influx of people has placed strains on
approaching, it will put a greater strain on families who do not have access to
national systems. While humanitarian support continues to enable shelter and
heat, proper clothing, healthcare necessities, or appropriate shelter. Temporary
basic needs, IOM will work with displaced populations, local governments, and
housing solutions for many IDPs may not be winter-ready and so colder
community leaders to develop innovative solutions which strengthen existing
temperatures could bring further displacements as individuals seek suitable
systems and encourage self-sufficiency. This includes supporting longer-term
shelter. IOM will continue to scale up its operations to support vulnerable
housing solutions, improving access to education, health and labour markets,
people in Ukraine, and support families to prepare for the challenges ahead.
providing social protection, and facilitating inclusion within hosting cities
As winter approaches, planning and preparation for large-scale winterization and communities.
efforts have already begun. In areas both inside Ukraine and in neighbouring
Building on current and past programming for migrant inclusion, IOM country
countries where shelter options are limited, IOM will work to ensure that
offices are expanding inclusion capabilities through technical assistance and
homes are properly heated and insulated from the elements, that collective
direct service provision. Information, referral and service centres enable
shelters are rehabilitated or refurbished, and that populations have access to
Ukrainians and TCNs to find solutions to their day-to-day problems and make
adequate clothing and sources of heat. Within Ukraine, much of this support
decisions about their future. With an estimated 90% of refugees being women
requires the mobilization of large-scale supply chains for common goods
and children, this includes access to education, health, housing and economic
(insulation, heating appliances, solid fuel, and winter Non-Food Items) and
opportunity. Language courses remain a high priority request from refugees,
contracts for repairs to reach the most vulnerable in every region of the
while information, counselling and referrals, provided by phone, internet or
country. Using its international procurement and logistic apparatus, IOM
in-person, continue to expand across neighbouring countries to cover the
will help meet the needs of the broader humanitarian community through
largest hosting municipalities. Moreover, governments continue to establish
the establishment of a common pipeline for supplies.. In the coming weeks
legal mechanisms to operationalize the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD)
and months, IOM will put significant efforts to expand efforts on installation,
maintenance, and repairs on water and heating systems and infrastructure to and request support to implement new services and protection measures.
ensure that needs are met as people remain on the move and displacements
continue, due to the ongoing war. In neighbouring countries, collective
Enabling Return and Recovery in Ukraine
shelters still require support to be habitable in the winter weather, and there Spontaneous returns and movements into and within Ukraine continue
will be a need to complement these interventions with alternative options daily. In the long term, IOM will focus on enabling an environment for safe
for rental assistance, heating and utilities for those in need. The physical returns, recovery, and local integration of IDPs for those who cannot return.
challenges of plunging resources, dwindling savings, loss of seasonal work, Many who were internally displaced or are returning to areas which are not
and ongoing displacement will put greater strains on individuals and families. their traditional place of residence inside Ukraine, may have lost the social
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 14
and economic services and infrastructure. IOM Ukraine is working with Striking an appropriate balance and simultaneously addressing acute
national and local government as well as partners to leverage its considerable humanitarian needs and enabling recovery will be essential as the war and its
multisectoral capacity to address housing recovery and economic revitalization. effects drag on potentially for the next six-months and beyond.
As the context and needs in Ukraine vary from region to region and city
to city, IOM Ukraine is taking an Area Based Approach (ABA), designing its After six months of war, displacement, and the ensuing chaos, the lives
interventions and assistance to address the needs most present in each town and of many people in Ukraine have been forever changed. Families have
city to enable return and recovery. In hard hit areas like Butcha, Irpin, Homestol, been separated, homes have been destroyed, and entire communities
and Dnipro and surrounding areas, IOM has already begun to distribute have been uprooted. In the face of such hardship, Ukrainians have shown
shelter repair and recovery kits, support critical services such as health, and incredible adaptability and resilience as they rebuild their lives and homes,
simultaneously open up grants for business recovery and asset recuperation integrate into new communities, and care for themselves, loved ones, and
in order to allow for economic stabilization and livelihood opportunities neighbours. In the months and years ahead, IOM will continue to provide
to resume. Programming to support the mental and physical health for and adapt its programming to support individuals and communities who
those affected by the war will also be critical as individuals and communities have been affected by violence to find durable solutions, rebuild and
begin to adapt to new routines and new realities as a result of the war. establish resilience to meet the challenges ahead.
Responding across the broader European context
While IOM’s operations in relation to the Ukraine crisis have primarily focused on Ukraine and the neighbouring countries, IOM has offices across Europe.
Amongst these, 16 Country Offices had programming on migrant inclusion prior to the crisis that helped welcome and support Ukrainian refugees.
Additionally, offices in several countries began programming specifically responding to the crisis; for example, the Government of Ireland funded an
IOM programme in which 45,478 people have received support to register for temporary protection under the TPD. IOM will continue to
support those affected by the conflict wherever they are, including as increasing numbers of people undertake voluntary transfers and choose to settle
for longer periods.
Ukrainian refugees arrive at the train station in Rzeszów, Poland
©IOM 2022/Muse Mohammed
UKR AINE CRISIS 2022: 6 MONTHS OF RESPONSE | 15
WITH THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
Soutenu
par
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON IOM AND THE UKRAINE CRISIS RESPONSE
IOMUkraine @IOMUkraine UKRAINE RESPONSE
TSI 2023 Flagship Technical Support Project
MIGRATION
Migrant integration and talent
attraction
DESCRIPTION OF THE FLAGSHIP
This Flagship Technical Support Project is targeted at Member States wishing to benefit from the social
and economic gains of enhanced integration, labour market participation and labour mobility for
Third Country Nationals (TCNs).
Building on and complementing the technical support offered under last year’s flagship project on the
“Integration of Third Country Nationals in EU Member States”, it will support Member States with carrying
out reforms and measures that foster the socio-economic integration of TCNs in the EU. It will also support
reforms and measures that foster their labour market inclusion while making the best use of their
competences and skills, and create opportunities for employers to recruit international talent to address
labour market gaps.
The flagship project offers ten work packages targeted at different areas and functions of national, regional
and local administrations to enable the design, development and implementation of effective and
sustainable reforms.
IMPACT OF THE FLAGSHIP
Shaping successful, future-oriented TCNs integration, inclusion, and labour mobility policies, by
learning from good practices tested elsewhere, better coordination and monitoring
Stronger socio-economic integration of TCNs, through accessible and efficient administrative
services, facilitated access to essential services and adequate jobs
Better opportunities for employers to match labour market needs with international talent present in
and outside the EU
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this flagship project is to enable Member States to steer structural reforms and carry
out measures that will boost the successful integration of TCNs and their labour market inclusion. It will also
enable Member States to tap into international talent to fill labour market gaps and make the EU more
attractive to international talent.
MEASURES OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED
This flagship project identifies ten work packages, each with their
own set of deliverables that will be tailored to each Member State.
Member States can request support for one or more work packages.
These can be fully or partially combined as well as adjusted according to
the Member States’ needs.
Situational analysis Regulatory Coordination Stakeholder Monitoring and
Assessment of socio- frameworks mechanisms mapping evaluation
economic integration, Reviewing and Structured Identification and Strengthening
inclusion and talent developing existing coordination and involvement of monitoring and
attraction policies, legislative and information sharing stakeholders in evaluation
institutional regulatory frameworks in the administration integrating and mechanisms to
frameworks and based on the and beyond attracting the talent support evidence-
identifying existing situational analyses of TCNs based policymaking
needs and gaps
Access to rights and Labour market E-Government Capacity building Action planning
services inclusion and labour design Developing and piloting
Facilitating access to mobility Support policies administrative Support the
rights and adequate Support for identifying through accessible, capacity to design implementation of
services (healthcare, and operationalising the efficient and and put in place newly developed
housing, welfare, matching between trustworthy digital policies, institutional structures,
education) labour supply and services and tools in structures and processes, services
labour demand for the administration processes – including and programmes
TCNs’ skills and talent, and beyond for the absorption of
including the proposed EU funds
use of EU instruments
for this purpose
RRF/RRP RELEVANCE
The Regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) provides that recovery should be
achieved, and the resilience of the EU and its Member States enhanced, through the support for measures
that refer to the policy areas of European relevance structured around six pillars. These six pillars include,
inter alia, health, economic, social and institutional resilience, as well as social and territorial cohesion. The
proposed flagship project could complement reform efforts pursued by Member States within the context of
their individual Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs) in the aforementioned pillars,
as it will enable a better understanding and monitoring of relevant activities
around migrant integration and inclusion, and tapping into international talent
to meet labour markets gaps.
Current Situation
of Refugees from
Ukraine
in Europe
8 September 2022
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi shows his support with those who have lost everything in Ukraine .
POPULATION AND DISPLACEMENT FIGURES
DISPLACED IN THE CURRENT EMERGENCY PRIOR TO RECENT EVENTS
(AS OF 30 AUG 2022) (AS OF DEC 2021)
6,975,000 850,000
IDPs in Ukraine (23 August 2022) IDPs in Ukraine
7,007,381 36,000
Refugees from Ukraine recorded Stateless people / at risk of statelessness
across Europe
3,969,537 5,000
Refugees from Ukraine registered for Asylum-seekers and refugees of other
Temporary Protection or similar nationalities hosted in Ukraine
national protection schemes in Europe
Nearly 14 million currently displaced by the war, one-third of the pre-war
population
Profiles of refugees from Ukraine in Europe
Regional Protection Profiling & Monitoring:
Profiles, Needs & Intentions of Refugees from Ukraine
Age Gender Qualification
49% 27%
Higher Vocational /
Level professional
37% 53% 12% 70% 30% Education experience
children Adults Adults Female Male
(Age 0-17) (Age 18-59) (Age <60)
23,054 May to Mid-August Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary,
Respondents 2022 Republic of Moldova, Poland,
(99% Ukrainians) Romania and Slovakia
Main Intentions
The large majority (63%) Only 13% report plans to return to 11% report plans to move to
report plans to stay in Ukraine in the near future, but 64% are another host country and 13%
their current host uncertain as to when exactly they would are uncertain about their plans.
country in the near future, do so.
with safety, family ties and
employment as the main The main reason behind intention to
reasons. return is the perception that the situation
has improved, followed by economic
reasons and desire to go back home and
reunite with family members.
Main Needs of Refugees
• Respondents have highlighted safety, family
ties, protection procedures, and language
important aspects to stay in the current host
country.
• Refugees from Ukraine will require continued
access to safety and protection, while
temporary protection and other legal status
granted to them is enabling access to services,
many are in urgent need of financial support,
employment, accommodation, material
assistance, and healthcare.
Key Challenges
Language barriers Family composition Difficulties of refugees in
(majority of them single accessing education and
mothers) livelihoods opportunities.
Key takeaways
• Refugees should be enabled to make free
and informed decisions on their future.
• Consultation with refugees in policies
impacting on them
• Socio-economic inclusion of refugees is
key. Strengthening national systems to
ensure such inclusion particularly concerning
education, healthcare, and livelihood
opportunities.
• Good practice Romania’s National Plan of
Measures for the Protection and Inclusion
• Sustained support is needed for refugees,
and their local host communities, this will
facilitate peaceful coexistence and overall
inclusion of refugees.
• Inclusion as a “whole of society” endeavor.
UNHCR Operational Data Portal | Ukraine Refugee Situation
Thank you!
For more information:
https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine
Dear colleagues and partners,
It has been over six months since we started our efforts to stand with Ukraine and
Ukrainian refugees across Europe, a process that started with emergency
unimaginable solidarity and reached the complex level of integration and inclusion.
We all, as Member States, EU institutions and international organizations have
pushed our limits and today we stand at a point where we never thought we will in
such a short time span: building together a common vision and platform of dialog
at political level on medium and long-term measures for refugee inclusion.
I am grateful for your participation and amazing engagement in the working
sessions of the Bucharest Forum - Towards a Common European Platform for
Refugee Inclusion. As well, I am grateful that together we succeeded in creating
the welcoming and safe space for best practices and knowledge sharing and, also
for openly discussing about national and common challenges we are facing, in our
efforts to generate protection and inclusion both for the refugees and for our own
people. This is especially relevant under these complex circumstances when we, as
public officials, are called to protect and enhance social cohesion and further work
on key development areas in our countries.
As agreed, we have put up a set of materials with the main results of the Forum
that hopefully will help us in organizing the next steps of our cooperation and
Platform of dialog. Me and my Cabinet, will make sure that we keep the
communication flow open and share the information on the internal proceedings
of the next reunion of the Platform.
Meanwhile, I avail myself of the opportunity to send you my highest consideration
and a warm thank you from the Government of Romania for your solidarity and
leadership on the pressing issue of refugee inclusion.
Adresa: Victory Palace, 1 Victory Square, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +4 021 310 37 67
www.gov.ro
In the end, allow me to paraphrase a guiding principle that may so well apply to our
endeavor: when the arc of progress seems slow, we must all remember that Europe
is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our
democracy is the word 'We.' This is the power of the free world.
Yours respectfully,
Mădălina Turza
Counsellor of State in the Chancellary of the Prime Minister
Strategic coordinator of humanitarian response
Romanian Government
Adresa: Victory Palace, 1 Victory Square, Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +4 021 310 37 67
www.gov.ro
Saatja: cabinet csmt <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 14.09.2022 13:11
Adressaat: Anne-Ly Reimaa <
[email protected]>; KUL min <
[email protected]>
Teema: Follow up Bucharest Forum
Manused: image001.png; 1. Letter Bucharest Forum.pdf; 2. Bucharest Forum- Conclusions.pdf;
3. STATUS REPORT ROMANIA.pdf; 4. Mădălina Turza Power Point Presentation.pdf; 5.
UNHCR Presentation - Bucharest Forum for Refugee Inclusion _ 8 Sept_2022.pdf; 6. NIEM 08-
09-22 Bucharest_MPG.pdf; 7. IOM-Ukraine-Regional-Response2022-6-Month-Special-
Report.pdf; 8. DG REFORM 2023 Flagships Techical Support projects - migration.pdf
Dear colleagues and partners,
Thank you very much for participating in the Bucharest Forum! We hope you had a pleasant trip back.
As we agreed, we would like to share with you a set of materials as a result of the Forum, as well a link
to a short poll regarding the organizational steps we are going to take with regard the Platform of dialog.
We kindly ask you to fill in the form in order to be able to co-create the way in which we are going to
organize ourselves for the Platform: https://forms.gle/BeSqcYXtGKHHeKco8 by September 23, 2022.
Please find attach the following documents:
1. Letter by Counsellor of State – Mădălina Turza
2. Report of the Bucharest Forum
3. Status Report Romania
4, 5, 6. Main presentations of the speakers
7. IOM report
8. DG REFORM 2023 Flagships Techical Support projects – migration
Bucharest Forum day 2 photos: https://we.tl/t-FVjtnIUYw4 (available 7 days)
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Cabinet Consilier de Stat Mădălina Turza
CANCELARIA PRIM-MINISTRULUI
Guvernul României
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Piata Victoriei nr.1, Sector 1, Bucuresti, Romania
Tel: +40 21 314 34 00 int 1239
E-mail:
[email protected]
http://www.gov.ro