On June 20th, the United Voices in Action program hosted the regional forum “IDP Integration in Dnipropetrovska Oblast: Challenges, Solutions, and the Influence of the IDP Council” in the city of Dnipro.

The event witnessed the participation of a diverse group — local authorities, civic groups, philanthropic organizations, relocated businesses, and the IDPs themselves. The focal point of their event was the significant challenges confronted by IDPs. The conversation revolved around strategies to integrate and socialize the IDPs into new communities, given that Dnipropetrovska Oblast has the highest number of IDPs in Ukraine.

As of early June 2023, Dnipropetrovska Oblast was home to almost half a million registered IDPs. With the commencement of the full-scale invasion, the region transformed into a transit hub for individuals seeking safer zones within Ukraine. A majority chose to settle there. Hence the government now perceives them not as IDPs but as new inhabitants of the Oblast who should actively participate in community life.

Nadiya Zadorozhna, the deputy head of the Dnipropetrovska Oblast Military Administration, said, “These are our people, and their challenges are ours to overcome collectively. A Coordination Hub is already in place to safeguard the rights and liberties of internally displaced persons. We are poised to provide assistance and maintain open communication.”

“In the city of Dnipro alone, there are 145,000 IDPs. We must also remember the 33,000 IDPs who have been registered since 2014. These people live and contribute to our community. We are open to their insights and feedback and committed to executing the recommendations produced from this forum,” added Deputy Mayor of Dnipro, Eduard Pidlubnyi.

Mykhailo Karpenko, a representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Dnipropetrovska Oblast, stressed, “The integration of thousands of IDP currently residing in the Dnipropetrovska Oblast is extremely important.”

“Post-victory, reconstruction efforts will intensify, yet many will not have a place to return to. It is thus vital that they be integrated as full members of their communities. Provision of housing, employment opportunities, and an enabling environment to contribute to the nation’s rebuilding are necessities,” voiced Karpenko.

IDP councils serve as a crucial medium for uniting IDPs, community representatives, and all stakeholders. They facilitate the adaptation of IDPs into their new surroundings and unite displaced persons with a proactive civic stance to robustly defend their rights and interests. Presently, there are five such councils in Dnipropetrovska Oblast: in Kryvyi Rih and Kamianske under the United Voices in Action program, as well as in Novomoskovska, Solonianska, and Novopokrovska communities.

Serhiy Larionov, a coordinator of the United Voices in Action program, maintained that “While there are local nuances, the primary challenges confronting IDPs remain universal.”

“Housing, employment, and integration in general are the issues. Comprehensive solutions and collaborations across all stakeholders are needed to address them. The best outcome can only be achieved through the right synergy, and the IDP Council offers one such mechanism for devising systemic solutions.”

Upon the conclusion of the event, participants endorsed a joint resolution aimed at bolstering cooperation to tackle the issues faced by IDPs in Dnipropetrovska Oblast.

This event was held as part of the United Voices in Action program, implemented by IREX in Ukraine together with the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services and with the support of the U.S. Departments of State.