Weekly Update #164
April 22, 2025

_____________________________________________________

Ukrainians crossing back to Ukraine: Regional analysis (July - December 2024)

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) collected data on Ukrainian nationals who were crossing back into Ukraine through neighbouring countries (Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania and Slovakia), either temporarily or permanently. Between July and December 2024, a total of 5,901 surveys were conducted.

Based on DTM’s surveys of Ukrainians crossing back via Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania and Slovakia, almost all movements into Ukraine (92%) are pendular in nature— characterised by short-term stays or temporary returns. Only a small proportion of respondents (approximately 143 individuals) identified as returning from displacement. The remaining eight per cent are prospective returnees and undecided respondents. This highlights that not all individuals leaving Ukraine are doing so to displace; rather, many are engaged in temporary or cyclical movements back and forth across the border.

The survey focuses on various aspects of return, including return intentions, duration of displacement, destinations, needs and assistance received, expectations upon return, and experiences of unequal treatment of Ukrainian respondents.

Key findings:

Ukrainians abroad (Resided abroad 50% or more of the three months leading to crossing back) – 3,591 respondents

Most were visiting Ukraine for a short period (87%), 9% intended to remain and 4% were undecided

• 83% were travelling to their oblast of origin

• Top reasons to cross back: Visiting family members (56%), renewing documents (22%), and healthcare (21%)

• Top immediate needs: Financial support (24%), Health services (23%), and general information (11%)

• 78% of short-term visitors crossed more than three times since February 2022

• 61% of prospective returnees travelled with children

Current residents of Ukraine (Resided in Ukraine 50% or more of the three months leading to crossing back) – 2,310 respondents

• 96% were travelling to their oblast of origin

• Main reason for leaving Ukraine: Brief trip abroad (89%), escaping from war (6%) and economic reasons (3%)

• 54% have some form of employment

• 28% crossed 3 – 5 times, 19% crossed over ten times

• 10% anticipated difficult access to basic services

Source: IOM (Full Report)

Emergency Response: UNHCR and partners continue to provide psychological first aid, emergency shelter material, emergency cash assistance, essential items, and legal counselling to people affected by recent attacks, complementing the response of local authorities. Following continued aerial attacks in eastern Ukraine during February, UNHCR and partner Proliska supported over 360 people in Zaporizhzhia city with emergency shelter kits and other materials, and around 290 people received essential items such as blankets, thermoses and solar lamps. Partners also provided psychosocial support and legal counselling. In response to attacks in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovska region, some 100 people received emergency construction materials, and around 120 people received winter clothing and hygiene kits, while 130 war-affected people received psychosocial support.

Child Protection: In early February, two new childfriendly spaces were opened in Bochechky and Khmeliv villages, Sumska region, where UNHCR’s contribution to equipping the space ensured that around 1,000 children in these communities close to the border have a safe space to socialize, learn and participate in activities hosted by UNHCR’s partners and other protection actors. Another child-friendly space was opened on 27 February in Rivnenska region, in west Ukraine. UNHCR helped equip the space with games and activity materials that will be accessible to some 600 IDPs (including 124 children) in Rokytne community.

Cash assistance: Between January - February 2025, UNHCR distributed some USD 17 million in cash assistance to over 44,800 newly displaced people, returnees and war-affected people to help cover the cost of basic needs such as accommodation, food, medicine and clothing. As part of UNHCR’s winterization response, 258,345 people were reached from October 2024 - February 2025 with cash for additional winter needs, which was delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Pension Fund of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, as part of collective efforts to help people stay safe and warm.

Housing/Shelter and NFIs: On 4 February, UNHCR participated in a UN inter-agency convoy to frontline communities in Donetska region, providing 800 solar lamps and 800 blankets to supporting vulnerable people remaining in the area. Additionally, 24 portable power stations were delivered to Administrative Service Centres and Social Services Departments in communities across Khersonska region, which will enable these centres/departments to continue performing their duties in the midst of ongoing power cuts.

Capacity-building: During February, UNHCR trained over 40 social workers and staff from the Department of Social Policy and communities in Kharkiv. By focusing on supervision and survivor-centred approaches, the sessions aimed to ensure that social workers can support each other and guarantee safe, confidential, and effective support for survivors and victims of violence through the local government level, including sexual violence.

Source: UNHCR Ukraine Situation Flash Update #78

• On 4 April, a ballistic missile attack by Russian armed forces hit the city of Kryvyi Rih, in Dnipropetrovska oblast, killing 20 people and injuring nearly 80. Among the deaths were nine children, most of whom were playing in a park. OHCHR said it was the deadliest single verified strike harming children since the start of Russia’s fullscale invasion in February 2022. On 9 April, the Ministry of Foreign affairs organised a solidarity visit for representatives of diplomatic missions and the UN. The UNHCR Representative joined the visit and briefed the participants on UNHCR’s and its partners’ emergency response. On 13 April, another ballistic missile attack by Russian armed forces killed at least 34 people in Sumy, including two children, and injured nearly 100 others. Authorities said it was the deadliest attack this year.

• Largescale aerial attacks continue to impact civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Overall, the number of civilian casualties in Ukraine increased in March, with the UN HRMMU reporting at least 164 people killed and 910 injured. This is 50% higher than the number of civilian casualties reported in February 2025, and more than 70% higher when compared to the same period last year. Most casualties were caused by long-range missiles and loitering munitions, with cities like Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Sumy among those most affected, as well as the town of Dobropillia, in Donetska oblast, where an attack on 7 March killed 11 civilians and injured almost 50 people.

• New mandatory evacuations were announced from areas in Sumska oblast, while civilians continue to leave frontline areas in Donetska and Kharkivska oblasts. Civilians in frontline communities face increasingly harsh living conditions due to constant shelling and limited access to essential services. Many evacuees are extremely vulnerable, with a significant number of older and disabled people.

Source: UNHCR

Belgium will provide Ukraine with EUR150 mln assistance within the framework of the BE-Relieve Ukraine project

A large-scale international technical assistance project, the “Belgian Initiative to Support the Recovery of Ukraine” (BE-Relieve Ukraine), has officially launched in Ukraine. It is implemented by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium through the development agency Enabel. The project beneficiaries are the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.

“BE-Relieve Ukraine is not just technical assistance. This project is aimed at a partnership between Ukraine and Belgium in the reconstruction of our country. The main principle of our cooperation is “To build back better”. BE-Relieve Ukraine will last until the end of 2028. During this time, Ukraine will receive 150 million euros from the Belgian Government, which will be directed to the restoration and support of critical infrastructure, preparation for winter, and the creation of an inclusive environment,” said Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories Kostiantyn Kovalchuk.

The project will cover both the national level and specific regions. In particular, the Chernihiv and Kyiv regions, as well as the city of Kyiv, are among the project participants.

The main areas of the project:

• Modernization of energy infrastructure: implementation of decentralized heating and power supply systems, transfer of mobile boiler houses and generators.

• Healthcare and social protection: reconstruction of medical institutions, rehabilitation programs, inclusive services.

• Education and employment: updating the infrastructure of schools and vocational training, holding forums to increase interaction between business and education.

• Support for European integration: facilitating the implementation of reforms and strengthening ties with Belgian partners.

Source: Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine