Prior to the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ternopilska Oblast was home to the least number of IDPs, barely surpassing 2,000. Today, the count has skyrocketed to almost 80,000 registered IDPs. What assistance do these people require, and how might we enhance their living conditions in the oblast?
Yana Shkuratova, a coordinator of the United Voices in Action program in Ternopilska Oblast, an initiative established by IREX in partnership with the Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services, and supported by the U.S. Department of State, shared insights on the challenges faced by IDPs and potential solutions.
What services are provided to IDPs through the program?
– Most Ukrainians relocating to Ternopil Oblast due to the conflict often require assistance with document restoration, social benefits applications, and compensation claims for destroyed property. Through the United Voices in Action program, we’ve dispensed around a thousand legal consultations for IDPs and social protection employees. Additionally, we conduct monthly webinars addressing the most pressing concerns for IDPs.
We have also instituted integration sessions, employing the “Movement. Games. Sports. Creativity” approach, for local and displaced children alike to cultivate communication skills, resilience, and community integration.
How are IDPs accommodated?
– Primarily, IDPs are settled within the oblast, as there is an insufficient amount of housing for IDPs in Ternopil. While some individuals manage to find housing independently, others, particularly those unable to afford their own rent, are placed in collective centers (CCs) situated within educational establishments, sanatoriums, and dormitories.
Understanding that these newly displaced individuals may require guidance, we’ve erected information stands in areas they frequent or inhabit.
We’ve disseminated our guidelines for IDPs to various regional institutions and organizations working with this group. The feedback has been positive, with many finding our methodological materials highly beneficial. In the course of the United Voices in Action program, our legal professionals have scrutinized over 80 legislative documents, resulting in a publication featuring 12 sections addressing common inquiries of IDPs, encompassing housing, education, certificate acquisition, and financial assistance.
What about everyday life? Do IDPs receive basic necessities?
– Regrettably, this is not the case. The demand for clothing and home appliances remains high. For instance, the CC in Lanivtsi had a single water heater, washing machine, and refrigerator for 30 individuals. As a component of the United Voices in Action program, we provided a washing machine, refrigerator, water heater, microwave, oven, multicooker, kettles, and irons, along with 14 folding beds, 35 sets of bedding, pillows, and blankets.
According to your program, IDP Councils will be established in the Ternopilska Oblast. What is the point of these Councils, and how can IDPs benefit from them?
– An IDP Council is an advisory, representative, and mediating body. It’s a coalition of IDPs, local government, and business representatives. The aim of such a Council is to facilitate the integration of new residents into the region, enabling them to become part of the community with full rights and responsibilities. The inaugural Council in the Ternopilska Oblast was formed under the regional military administration and has been operational since February, comprising 20 members who are IDPs, local authority representatives, and civil society organization members. The primary objective of this council is to foster the integration of IDPs into the local community.
How can support for IDPs in the Ternopilska Oblast be enhanced?
– At present, we lack holistic strategies. There are numerous organizations in this field, but there isn’t a comprehensive directory of projects, assistance, and services they provide. Even volunteers, activists, local government officials, government agencies, and utility workers lack coordination and awareness of many local and international initiatives. Our IDP Council aims to unify all entities working for the welfare of IDPs to ensure that aid is consistent, constant, and systematic.
Free legal aid and valuable resources for IDPs are available on the United Voices in Action program’s website.
Source: 0352.ua – Сайт міста Тернополя.