Supporting Internally Displaced Persons Across Ukraine: EAST SOS Joins the 4th All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils
The EAST SOS Charity Foundation participated in the 4th All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils.
The annual forum, held in Lviv on October 21–22, was organized by the Stabilization Support Services Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.
The event brought together representatives of IDP Councils, government authorities, and civil society organizations to discuss the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ways to better support them. This year’s forum coincided with the entry into force of Law of Ukraine No. 4924-IX, “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons.” The law strengthens IDPs’ participation in community life and requires public authorities to take proposals from IDP Councils into consideration.
Key topics included access to housing, social services, and government support programs for IDPs. Discussions also focused on the role of IDP Councils in housing initiatives and local budget planning.
The EAST SOS Charity Foundation team presented the updated Chronicles of Evacuation photo exhibition and shared information about our ongoing work and new areas of support for people affected by the war.
Through photographs and personal stories of people rescued from danger, we once again highlighted the challenges they face after evacuation, particularly when it comes to finding long-term accommodation.
One of the most pressing issues is the severe shortage of residential care facilities and supported living options for older people living alone and people with limited mobility. With so few places available, evacuees often have to remain in collective centres for extended periods. This, in turn, slows down the evacuation of others who are still in danger.
We regularly draw attention to this issue as part of the “Queue for Life” awareness campaign and continue to advocate for solutions through dialogue with government authorities, communities, and partners.
At the information stand, the team presented the EAST SOS Charity Foundation’s work. Social transportation services and renovation programs for residential care facilities attracted the greatest interest among forum participants.
“We had many conversations at the forum with people who had relocated to central and western Ukraine because of the war. They wanted to learn how EAST SOS supports IDPs in these regions. It was important for us to show that our work extends beyond frontline areas: we implement projects across different regions and continuously seek opportunities to expand our geographical reach. One conversation that particularly stood out was with a group of women displaced from Kherson. They have established an initiative group and are looking for resources to support other IDPs in their community. We shared our experience, exchanged contact details, and hope to continue the conversation. For me, these connections are among the most valuable aspects of the forum,” said Anastasiia Drapinska, Financial Manager at the EAST SOS Charity Foundation.
We are grateful to the organizers for inviting us to take part in the forum once again, and to all participants for the new connections, meaningful discussions, and opportunity to share experiences. Meetings like these help us identify common solutions and help us make our support for IDPs better tailored to their needs.
Follow the link to read how the EAST SOS team has provided support in Kharkiv for over three years.
