In 2023, CrimeaSOS facilitators processed 2,300 appeals from IDPs

During the first quarter of 2023, CrimeaSOS facilitators processed 2,300 appeals from internally displaced persons (IDPs). Olha Shkarupa, CrimeaSOS manager in the social sphere, told about this.

“In the first quarter of 2023, facilitators recorded 2,300 appeals from internally displaced persons. Most of them relate to receiving humanitarian aid – almost 70 %”, —Olha Shkarupa explains.

The work of CrimeaSOS facilitators began in 2022. A facilitator is a representative of an organization who, being in his/her community, records appeals from internally displaced persons, solves issues independently, redirects them to local NGOs/institutions or transfers to UNHCR partners in the region.

Thanks to “agents” on the ground, the organization better understands the needs of IDPs in the regions of responsibility and can quickly respond to these needs.

A little less appeals concern the receipt of social benefits from international organizations. There are also requests for psychological help. They are redirected to local NGOs that provide humanitarian aid; or UNHCR partners. It is important to note that these issues remain extremely relevant to this day, and IDPs often need complex assistance.

There is an increase in employment-related requests. More and more people are trying to integrate and settle in their host communities.

Legal assistance is provided by CrimeaSOS specialists or redirected to NGO Right to Protection, Centres for free legal assistance. Most often, questions concern obtaining IDP status, restoring documents, receiving compensation for the destroyed housing, etc.

Currently, 39 CrimeaSOS facilitators work in 13 regions of Ukraine: Vinnytsia, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy, Ternopil, Lviv, Rivne, Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Volyn and Chernivtsi. In April, it is planned to attract facilitators in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

The work of facilitators in the regions is one of the activities of CrimeaSOS within the project “Strengthening IDP communities in the central and western regions of Ukraine”. The project is implemented with the financial support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).