Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast has sheltered about 150,000 IDPs. Most of them face problems that require legal support.

Marharyta Lykhachova, a lawyer of the United Voices in Action program in Ivano-Frankivska Oblast, explained what kind of legal assistance IDPs in Ivano-Frankivska Oblast need most often. The program is implemented by IREX together with the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.

– What problems do IDPs face in Ivano-Frankivska Oblast?

Ivano-Frankivsk is home to IDPs from many oblasts of Ukraine. Some of them have lived in the city since 2014, while others moved here after the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Currently, the biggest problem for IDPs is housing. For comparison, the situation in Kharkivska Oblast is simpler: offline education was not resumed in the fall, and all student dormitories were given to the needs of IDPs. In Ivano-Frankivska Oblast, kindergartens and schools were reopened, in which IDPs were housed. People had to be resettled somewhere. Some went to the villages, but this option is not for everyone because, for example, in some settlements, there is no access to medical care due to the lack of outpatient clinics.

– What kind of assistance do IDPs in your oblast receive from the United Voices in Action program?

We provide legal consultations for IDPs in Ivano-Frankivska Oblast. To get legal aid from the United Voices in Action program, you need to fill out an online form indicating your contacts and the subject matter of the appeal. After that, our lawyer will reach out to you. We provide legal aid both online and offline.

We also advise government agencies, such as social protection authorities, the pension fund, and the employment center. We explain changes in legislation to their employees and share new information. Unfortunately, government agencies often operate on the principle that no changes are made until an order is received from above. It’s difficult, but we have to deal with it.

– What questions do IDPs ask you?

These include housing restoration, guardianship, and delayed payments. People often apply for inheritance if, for example, one of their relatives died on the occupied territory. There are also questions about the calculation of work experience and pensions for IDPs. There are also difficulties with certifying the fact of death or birth.

There was a situation when the social protection authorities did not register a child as an IDP because he or she was born after the outbreak of full-scale war. The mother was given an IDP certificate, but the child was not, because she did not have a residence permit. The mother turned to us. We advised her to collect the necessary package of documents and apply to the social protection authority in writing with a statement indicating that in case of refusal, she would like to receive a written response with a justification for the reason. As a result, the situation was resolved: the child received an IDP certificate, and her parents received payments.

Unfortunately, fraudsters often take advantage of the situation and people’s gullibility. They post messages on the Internet similar to those of charity workers to “lure” people into divulging their personal information. A person once contacted our organization and told us that she had given fraudsters access to her credit card. We advised her to block the card. Fortunately, she did so promptly and was not harmed.

In some cases, one consultation is not enough, so we hold repeated meetings. If people come to us with issues that we cannot resolve, such as restoring documents, we refer them to the competent authorities. 

– How do people find out about your consultations?

Some NGOs tell IDPs that we provide legal aid. They also tell us about those who need it. We also disseminate information online: we post announcements on websites and in local groups and spread them on Facebook and in Telegram chats.

Word of mouth spreads the information about our help well: someone used our consultations and recommended us to their friends.

– What questions do representatives of government agencies address to the United Voices in Action program?

Sometimes employees of social protection or other agencies do not know how to help a person because they have never encountered such situations before. When it comes to payments, civil servants don’t want to take risks. Once, we were approached by a family that the social protection authorities did not want to register as a large family because the children were from two different fathers. Social protection workers could not check the family’s status in the oblast from which they had left and did not know what to do. We helped solve this problem.

Our lawyers also explain to employees of government agencies changes in the legislation on lending, termination of employment, accrual of length of service, or pensions.

– What should IDPs do if government agencies refuse to help?

It is better to apply to any authority in writing and receive a written refusal. Sometimes a person who does not have a law degree may ask the wrong question or misunderstand the reason for the refusal. This leads to misunderstandings with government agencies. Often, when people apply on their own, they are denied, but when a lawyer comes with them, the problem is solved. It’s easier for us to understand all the legal nuances when a person has a written request and a written refusal from the state authorities.

– United Voices in Action has released a manual with useful information for IDPs. How do these resources help IDPs?

Our guide describes the steps to get this or that kind of assistance with references to articles of the law. A person without a legal education can use this information when dealing with social protection authorities to get the service they need. Our manual contains answers to most of the questions related to social protection: registering as an IDP, receiving assistance, benefits, pensions, and housing. Every community needs such information. The manual is available on the program’s website in a digital form. It is also, of course, available in print.

– What are your plans for the near future?

As part of the United Voices in Action program, we will be holding consultations and trainings. This is an opportunity to share our experience and gain new knowledge. Legislation is constantly changing, and it is not always clear how to approach a particular issue. And if someone has already faced this and shares a way to solve the problem, it will save time. Our trainings are attended not just by IDPs and lawyers but also by ATO veterans, combat veterans, relatives of soldiers, and civil society activists.

You can get free legal aid and find useful resources for IDPs on the website of the United Voices in Action program.

Source: KURS