Lawyers of the СF “East SOS” provide legal support to evacuees from Donetsk region

Lawyers from the East SOS Charitable Foundation provide daily legal assistance to evacuees at the transit point in Pavlohrad. Within three days, they conduct up to 60 personal consultations. Each rescued person’s story is unique, but the issues are often similar.

“20% of the cases involve restoring documents, 50% are concerned with obtaining IDP certification and social benefits, 10% require help with registering for the “eVidnovlennia” program, and the remaining 20% are related to other matters such as child support, relocation issues, and more,” shared field lawyer Valeria Dolhoier.

Receiving state assistance is a top priority after relocation. Our lawyers help people register as IDPs, and inform them about available benefits, accommodation options, and the rights of evacuees. 

Valeria’s colleague, Tetiana Kucheriava, agreed: “There are many requests related to restoring lost documents, obtaining death or birth certificates, inheritance issues when relatives have died in the occupied territories, and registering property rights in the state registry.”

Beyond legal assistance, human support and empathy from specialists are equally important.

“People arrive disoriented. We try to calm and stabilize them and assure them that they are safe. First, we listen to them, learn where they came from and what they need, and then we guide them on the next steps,” Valeria explained.

Tetiana added that, at first, people are not concerned with legal details; they want to know where they are if it’s safe, and what comes next. Many are in shock, silent, or crying. Some arrive without belongings and initially require humanitarian aid, which the foundation also provides. The specialists avoid using vague phrases like “everything will be okay” because making promises that cannot be guaranteed is unprofessional.

“This was my second mission to Pavlohrad, and I was more aware of what to expect. I believe this work is very important because people need help right at the moment they leave. Even just being there, offering support, and talking can be incredibly beneficial. We always try to give clear and simple advice so that people don’t feel afraid and know what’s coming next,” Tetiana shared.

The legal assistance is part of the project “Comprehensive Humanitarian Response to the Needs of Conflict-Affected Ukrainians and Third-Country Nationals in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Moldova,” supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.