Yaroslav Taranets, Advocacy Officer at East SOS, Participated in Presentation of Ombudsman’s Report on Support for IDPs

Yaroslav Taranets, Advocacy Officer at East SOS, took part in the presentation of the Special Report by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, titled “Local Support Programs for IDPs: An Analysis of Effectiveness and Prospects,” held on March 26. He also joined the expert discussion during the event.

The discussion focused on how support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) functions at the local level, examining the effectiveness, accessibility, and sustainability of existing programs, as well as whether they adequately respond to people’s real needs.

While a significant number of local support initiatives for displaced persons have been established across Ukraine, their quality and availability vary considerably between communities. In many cases, these programs remain fragmented, underfunded, or insufficiently tailored to the needs of vulnerable groups requiring targeted assistance.

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, noted that an analysis of 1,375 local programs revealed that 31% exist only on paper.

Yaroslav Taranets commented:

“As an organization that works daily with victims of armed aggression, we clearly see systemic challenges. The process of accommodating people with limited mobility remains complicated, both for local communities and at the central government level. In particular, this concerns long-term housing for those who require care. This issue demands comprehensive solutions, not sporadic responses.”

He also highlighted the need for effective policies to support the integration and adaptation of displaced persons:

“Programs must promote economic activity, create employment opportunities, and restore social connections. People should not only have safe living spaces but also real opportunities to rebuild their lives. This cannot remain a declaration – it must translate into concrete decisions, tangible program changes, and approaches that truly impact people’s lives.”

Following the meeting, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets summarized the key recommendations:

• To the Government – approve and ensure mandatory implementation of the updated Strategy on Internal Displacement and its corresponding implementation plan.
  
• To relevant ministries – introduce performance indicators and monitoring mechanisms to track program effectiveness.
  
• To local governments – secure funding for support programs and guarantee the mandatory involvement of IDPs in decision-making processes.

Kateryna Skrypova, Executive Director of East SOS, recently spoke about the situation with the resettlement of evacuees on Radio Svoboda.