The report found that refugees do not receive enough income and support to meet their basic needs, with 68 percent of respondents saying they cannot afford essentials such as food, water, clothing, shelter and healthcare. Mothers of children, pensioners, the disabled and those without regular income face the most financial pressure.
The most common negative trend observed was skipping meals and eating less nutritious food, with about 45 percent of refugees from Poland, Moldova, and Romania taking these steps to reduce the cost of living. Many respondents also reported moving into low-quality housing to reduce their expenses, and a growing number of people in Moldova – particularly the Roma community – have resorted to borrowing money when fleeing Ukraine.
The report highlights the trauma and brutal reality of war and how it tears families apart, with 44 percent of respondents saying they had to leave a family member behind when they fled Ukraine. A female respondent living in Poland said: “You handled a strong psychological burden. You don’t know what awaits you tomorrow.”
The NRC urges host countries and international donors to ensure the continued protection of refugees from Ukraine by developing policies that prevent people from falling into further hardship. The organization emphasizes the need for targeted and tailored social protection, continuous humanitarian aid and long-term structural support to ensure that refugees can lead a dignified life and not suffer from reduced living standards, depletion of personal savings or dependence on aid.
The report complements the NRC’s previous one study of push and pull factors For refugees returning to Ukraine in 2022, to better understand the situation of people who had decided to stay outside of Ukraine. It also highlights the challenges many Ukrainians face in receiving adequate support or becoming self-sufficient in host countries.
NRC has been helping people affected by the conflict in Ukraine since 2014, and following the escalation of the armed conflict in February 2022, it significantly increased its response inside Ukraine and began programming to support people fleeing the war and seeking refuge in Poland, Romania and Moldova. Most of its work to support refugees in these three countries is done with a range of national partners who are experts in their local contexts.
The findings of this report highlight the ongoing challenges faced by refugees from Ukraine and the need for continued support from the international community. It is essential that policies are put in place to prevent people from falling into further hardship and to ensure that refugees can live a dignified life despite having to flee their homes, leaving behind loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
HT
Source: The Nordic Page