As refugees from Ukraine in the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Moldova enter their third year of life in displacement, new data from a Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) survey conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 reveals an urgent need for increased assistance and support. The survey, which gathered responses from more than 1,100 individuals, provides in-depth insights into the hardships endured by refugees from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Two years on, refugees from Ukraine, especially the elderly, struggle to make ends meet across neighboring European host countries. The lack of income and ongoing needs can lead to premature and unsafe returns at a time when the war in Ukraine shows no signs of stopping. The international and local NGO community has a strong role in providing targeted support to meet diverse needs and vulnerabilities. Our own interventions must continue to complement where government assistance falls short for vulnerable households,” said Neil Brighton, NRC’s Country Director in Poland.
The survey underscores the urgent economic struggles experienced by refugees from Ukraine in their host countries. In Poland, 58 per cent of respondents cite employment as their main source of income. However, a staggering 80 per cent of these individuals expressed that their income is insufficient to meet basic needs or does not cover them at all. Similarly, in Moldova, 71 per cent of respondents reported relying primarily on assistance from humanitarian agencies for income, with 37 per cent reporting an inability to meet basic needs.
“As we transition from an emergency to a protracted crisis, there is a real risk that as funding drops, vulnerable refugees will be plunged into further hardship, with many facing poverty and repeated displacements. The international community mustn’t abandon Ukrainian refugees. As European Union member states and humanitarian agencies meet today in Brussels for the Ukraine Senior Officials Meeting, it is imperative that the plight of Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries is not forgotten. Support for all those affected by the war in Ukraine must continue both inside and outside the country’s borders,” said NRC’s Country Director in Moldova, Jacopo Caridi.
NRC urges the international community and donors to urgently work with the host country governments and civil society organizations to find durable solutions for the long-term needs of this displaced population.