Sharp rise in Ukrainian displacement, with more than 50,000 internally displaced
Increases are also being seen in the numbers of Ukrainians in Russia and other countries, although so far only a relatively small number have applied for refugee status.
GENEVA, June 27 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency said on Friday that forced displacement is rising in Ukraine with an estimated 54,400 people internally displaced - 12,000 from Crimea and the rest from the Eastern region. Over the past week, the number of internally displaced increased by more than 16,400.
"Increases are also being seen in the numbers of Ukrainians in Russia and other countries, although so far only a relatively small number have applied for refugee status," UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told journalists in Geneva. "Since the start of the year around 110,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Russia, and 750 have requested asylum in Poland, Belarus, Czech Republic and Romania," she added.
Fleming said that of those in Russia only 9,600 have requested asylum. "Most people are seeking other forms of legal stay, often we are told because of concerns about complications or reprisals in case of return to Ukraine," she said.
Arrivals of the past few days are mainly clustered in Rostov-On-Don (12,900 people, including 5,000 children) and Bryansk (6,500 people). In Rostov, people are being accommodated in public buildings and some tented camps. In Bryansk the majority are staying with relatives and friends. UNHCR has also seen unconfirmed reports of other recent arrivals from the east of Ukraine to Crimea.
"The rise in numbers of the past week coincides with a recent deterioration of the situation in eastern Ukraine. Displaced people cite worsening law and order, fear of abductions, human rights violations and the disruption of state services," Fleming said.
UNHCR has increased its presence and deployed missions to monitor displacement from the east. "Currently we are unable to verify all information on displacement and are relying on local and central authorities, partners and civil society organizations. Insecurity in some areas of Ukraine is hampering access to many areas where displaced people are located," the UNHCR spokesperson noted.
In Ukraine, the main challenges currently faced by displaced people are access to social services, long-term shelter and employment, and difficulties transferring residence registration. Most people are provided with temporary shelter and assistance from local authorities, NGOs and with donations of private citizens.
UNHCR has begun to distribute humanitarian assistance to displaced people in the east, and has delivered assistance in support of efforts by the local authorities to the town of Sviatohorsk, where the largest concentration of internally displaced people is found. UNHCR is also launching a self-reliance programme for vulnerable internally displaced people in western and central Ukraine.
Related news and stories
Ukraine's refugees find long-term support in Europe's host countries
Women-run businesses in Afghanistan dealt a blow by deepening restrictions
After conflict, the displaced of Central African Republic dream of going home
Across borders, South Sudan's displaced call for peace
Six faces of the forcibly displaced in Ukraine
UNHCR concerned by conflict's toll on hundreds of thousands displaced in eastern DR Congo
Your search for « Ukraine » matched 2166 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 20 of 112 pages.
-
Survival a struggle in Eastern Ukraine as winter looms
23 Dec 2015 ... ZAITSEVE, Ukraine, Dec 23 (UNHCR) - When artillery shattered the roof of her cottage in this eastern Ukraine village, single mother Nina sought a home that offered more protection from the fighting ...... -
Pensioners caught up in Ukraine conflict struggle to survive
23 Mar 2018 ... Ukraine pensioners struggle to cross the conflict line Svetlana Shuko worked for decades in the ... Now, with armed conflict dividing Ukraine, eight months have passed since the 78-year-old received ...... -
Shelling forces Ukrainian family to move from house to house
29 Apr 2018 ... In eastern Ukraine's forgotten conflict, a mother clings to hopes of peace Close to the front line of the conflict in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, mother of three Marina Baban has been forced to move ...... -
University dorm in western Ukraine offers escape for fleeing families
11 Mar 2022 ... Within the space of 15 days, the military offensive in Ukraine has triggered the fastest-growing ... key locations in eastern, central and western Ukraine to respond to the rising humanitarian needs. ...... -
Refugees fleeing Ukraine to Moldova find onward passage to Romania
15 Mar 2022 ... Refugees fleeing Ukraine to Moldova, find onward passage Under leaden skies at the remote Palanca border crossing in southeastern Moldova, groups of refugees from Ukraine brave the bone-chilling wind ...... -
UNHCR warns of rising needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, calls for cessation of hostilities
18 Mar 2022 ... With more than 3.1 million refugees forced to flee Ukraine over the past three weeks, and millions ... hardest hit by the war within Ukraine and are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. ...... -
Deputy High Commissioner's statement to the UN Security Council on the situation in Ukraine and neighbouring countries
19 Apr 2022 ... Thank you for inviting UNHCR to the Security Council to discuss the situation in Ukraine. I am joining you tonight from Hungary, a country to which almost a half million Ukrainians have fled, a ...... -
First Christmas in exile for Ukrainian refugees in Poland
6 Jan 2023 ... A modest substitute for the one she, her husband and their three children would have had at home in Ukraine. "War, no war, children must have Christmas," says Kateryna, who, like most Ukrainians, will ...... -
High Commissioner's Statement at the High-Level International Donors' Conference for Ukraine
5 May 2022 ... In the 10 weeks since the Russian invasion, a third of Ukrainians - as we have heard already - have ... Working under the Government’s leadership in Ukraine, the United Nations as we heard, continues to ......