High Employment and Education Enrollment Among Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia, but Continued Solidarity Needed
High Employment and Education Enrollment Among Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia, but Continued Solidarity Needed
In Latvia, partners would use the funds to support a range of initiatives aimed at refugee integration and well-being ©. Elvīra Brinkmane-Druze.
Riga, Latvia - Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners have launched the 2025-2026 Regional Refugee Response Plan, with the hope of raising US$ 5,8 million (2025) to support 48,000 refugees in Latvia. This funding is part of a broader US$ 1.2 billion appeal to assist 2.2 million Ukrainian refugees across 11 host countries.
In the past three years, Latvia has demonstrated remarkable generosity and solidarity, providing Ukrainian refugees with safety, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. A recent study by UNHCR highlights strong social and economic inclusion among refugees, with many reporting that their basic needs are being met.
According to the study, 56% of working-age Ukrainian refugees in Latvia have secured regular employment, with most holding formal work contracts. Additionally, in the 2023/2024 school year, 62% of refugee children aged 7-18 were reported by their parents as enrolled in Latvian schools. Other key findings indicate that 47% of refugee households live in private accommodations, 94% have been able to access healthcare when needed, including 96% who successfully accessed mental health and psychosocial support. Furthermore, 80% of refugees report positive relations with the host community. These indicators highlight a favorable environment for Ukrainian refugees in Latvia.
Despite these positive trends, continued international support remains critical. The war in Ukraine—triggered by the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in February 2022—has caused the largest and fastest-growing displacement crisis in Europe since World War II. Today, 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees have left their country and, 92% of them have been registered in Europe. Within Ukraine, 3.6 million people remain forcibly displaced, facing an uncertain and perilous future. Ongoing Russian attacks continue to claim lives, injure civilians, and destroy homes and critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need to protect and assist those forced to flee.
“We must continue to stand with the millions of Ukrainians forced to leave behind their homes. In a time of great uncertainty, Latvia has provided unwavering support, demonstrating solidarity when it is needed most. As we continue to hope for better days in Ukraine, we must ensure that this support remains strong,” said Annika Sandlund, UNHCR’s Representative for the Nordics and Baltics.
With millions of refugees in host countries in need of protection, the Regional Refugee Response Plan presents the financial needs to ensuring continued access to legal status and rights, investing in socio-economic inclusion, and transitioning from emergency aid to long-term strategies that integrate refugees into national systems.
In Latvia, eligible partners would use the funds to support a range of initiatives aimed at refugee integration and well-being. These include language courses, social cohesion programs (such as education on Latvian history and culture, joint events, and community activities), extra tutoring for refugee children, and exchange seminars for integration practitioners across Latvian municipalities and other Baltic states. The funds would also provide initial rent support for accommodation, onward transportation assistance for refugees transiting through Latvia, and temporary housing for vulnerable refugee households with specific needs. Additionally, support would be directed toward refugee students in schools, mental health and psychosocial services, entrepreneurship programs, and other essential services to promote stability and self-sufficiency.
The Refugee Response Plan, coordinated by UNHCR under the Refugee Coordination Model, brings together 266 partners working in 11 countries. Under the leadership of host government, UN agencies and civil society actors continue to complement the efforts of the government and show the support and solidarity of the people. While the emergency phase is over, continued solidarity and financial support remains essential.
