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UNHCR about Ukraine: 10,000 refugees in their own country
Carmen Munteanu - Communications Coordinator
20 June 2014
According to recent estimates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of internally displaced persons following the tensions in Ukraine reached 10,000 and continues to rise.
Adrian Edwards, the UNHCR spokesman, said the internal displacement in Ukraine started before the March referendum in Crimea, but has been rising gradually since Russia took control of this region.
According to UNHCR statistics, about one third of the affected persons are children. Most families tend to move to central (45%) and western Ukraine (26%), though some are also located in the southern and eastern regions.
Most of those displaced are ethnic Crimean Tatars, although local authorities have also reported a recent increase in registrations of ethnic Ukrainians, Russians and mixed families. They have left either because of direct threats or out of fear of insecurity or persecution. "Some report having received personal threats over the phone, via social media, or finding threatening messages left on their property. (...) People cite fear of persecution because of ethnicity or religious beliefs or, in the case of journalists, human rights activists and among intellectuals, due to their activities or professions. Others say they could no longer keep their businesses open", Adrian Edwards, UNHCR spokesman, added.
Refugees are generally being accommodated in shelters provided by local authorities, or staying in privately owned spaces, such us sanatoriums, hotels or even private homes. Considering the on-site difficulties given by the limited capacities of the host communities to support people, UNHCR points out to the complex needs of the internally displaced people. The main challenges are access to social services, long-term shelter, transferring residence registration so that they can access their economic and social rights, access to information, and access to livelihoods.
Source: http://www.unhcr-centraleurope.org
Adrian Edwards, the UNHCR spokesman, said the internal displacement in Ukraine started before the March referendum in Crimea, but has been rising gradually since Russia took control of this region.
According to UNHCR statistics, about one third of the affected persons are children. Most families tend to move to central (45%) and western Ukraine (26%), though some are also located in the southern and eastern regions.
Most of those displaced are ethnic Crimean Tatars, although local authorities have also reported a recent increase in registrations of ethnic Ukrainians, Russians and mixed families. They have left either because of direct threats or out of fear of insecurity or persecution. "Some report having received personal threats over the phone, via social media, or finding threatening messages left on their property. (...) People cite fear of persecution because of ethnicity or religious beliefs or, in the case of journalists, human rights activists and among intellectuals, due to their activities or professions. Others say they could no longer keep their businesses open", Adrian Edwards, UNHCR spokesman, added.
Refugees are generally being accommodated in shelters provided by local authorities, or staying in privately owned spaces, such us sanatoriums, hotels or even private homes. Considering the on-site difficulties given by the limited capacities of the host communities to support people, UNHCR points out to the complex needs of the internally displaced people. The main challenges are access to social services, long-term shelter, transferring residence registration so that they can access their economic and social rights, access to information, and access to livelihoods.
Source: http://www.unhcr-centraleurope.org
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