The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is actively involved in providing assistance to various population groups affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Its efforts are wide-ranging and aimed at meeting a diverse range of needs and overcoming various types of social insecurity.

Target populations and assistance

IOM works in many directions:

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. Since the beginning of the escalation of the conflict, more than 7.7 million people have become internally displaced persons in Ukraine. In addition, more than five million refugees and at least 233,000 third-country nationals seek refuge in neighboring states. IOM aims to help more than 10 million people, eight million of whom are in Ukraine and two million who have fled abroad. The support includes the provision of temporary shelter, non-food items, as well as facilitating the work of collective informal shelters and refugee accommodation centers.
• Special attention is paid to vulnerable population groups, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. These categories often require more individualized support, including access to health care, psychological rehabilitation and psychosocial support, as well as improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and services.
• The economic consequences of forced relocation are a critical issue. Many internally displaced persons face financial difficulties, with a significant number of them living in households with incomes below the subsistence level. IOM provides multipurpose cash assistance to ensure minimum living standards, including food, hygiene and clothing. This assistance is adjusted over time in accordance with changing needs and economic conditions in Ukraine.

In addition, IOM offers protection services to persons vulnerable to human trafficking and gender-based violence, unaccompanied and separated migrant children, persons with disabilities and citizens of developing economies. The organization works on hotlines to provide information about services, diversion mechanisms, border crossing and prevention of violation of human rights and freedoms.

In neighboring countries, especially in the European Union, efforts are being made to grant temporary protection status to citizens of Ukraine, which facilitates their access to critical services and integration into host communities.