Summary of Participatory Assessments with Internally Displaced and Conflict Affected People in Ukraine

Summary of Participatory Assessments with internally displaced and conflict affected people in Ukraine

APRIL – JUNE 2015 BACKGROUND This document summarizes the findings of eight Par- were held not only within communities, but also in ticipatory Assessments (PAs) comprising of more collective centres, bomb shelters, and modular cen- than 400 focus group discussions held with inter- tres in government and in non-government con- nally displaced people (IDPs), with members of the trolled areas. Both rural and urban locations were communities which host them and conflict affected visited. people conducted between April and June 2015. The results presented below offer analysis which is During the discussions people explained in their own specific to the age, gender and diversity of the peo- words the protection risks and unmet rights which ple interviewed. Understanding risks faced by people they currently face as a result of displacement. In- which are specific to their situation is critical to the terview teams consisted of trained staff and volun- design of response programming which is both ef- teers from government, NGOs and the United Na- fective and appropriate. tions community. UNHCR re-affirms that internally displaced people Focus groups were held in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, must be at the centre of decision making regarding Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. De- their own protection and welfare and expresses ap- tailed reports for each of these locations are avail- preciation for all people who assisted with this pro- able. Given the high concentration of internally dis- cess. This overview is a summary text only. Detailed placed people, sub-reports specific to Mariupol and findings for each of the eight locations mentioned Sievierodonetsk have also been prepared. Sessions above are available separately upon request.

KEY FINDINGS

Freedom of movement The real impact of the Temporary Order on Control difficulty in applying from the non-government con- of the Movement of People, Transport Vehicles and trolled area; (ii) lack of knowledge of where and how Cargo along the Contact Line in Donetsk and Luhansk to cross; (iii) long distances between checkpoints, regions (Temporary Order) was detailed during focus including while passing through territory between group discussions. In brief, displaced people, particu- checkpoints; (iv) long delays at government check- larly adults, cited confusion, frustration and in some points, sometimes for many days; (v) lack of recep- cases fear regarding all aspects of the complex pro- tion after crossing the line of contact. In some locations, internally displaced “To see our families, it is a very expensive, people stated a perceived requirement dangerous and illegal journey. It took me to turn to informal and unofficial chan- nels in order to receive a pass. Others three days to travel with my children from stated interest in following routes which Chernukhino and I have to pay UAH 2,500 avoid checkpoints in order to cross. Chil- dren spoken with in the non-government All the money that I have”, a displaced woman controlled area in April 2015 mentioned from Luhansk region concerns regarding their high school ex- aminations. cess of passing to and from the non-government controlled area to the government controlled area. Real impacts upon people include the inability to flee, lack of access to goods and services, lack of access Concerns raised include: (i) the pass permit system, to medicine, lack of access to pensions, and lack of including long waiting times, lack of transparency and access to education. Access to housing In accordance with the IDP law, internally displaced Housing concerns include: (i) gaps in housing while dis- people are entitled to free temporary accommodation placed; (ii) lack of building materials to repair former for a period of up to six months from the date of homes and technical and labour assistance necessary registration. For large families, disabled people and the to complete repairs. Some displaced people stated that elderly an extension is possible. their original homes were completely destroyed and that they did not know where to turn.

2 For example, in Donetsk shelter concerns “Why does the government not to initi- were related to the fact that many people still continue to live in destroyed houses, ate criminal proceedings against those who bomb shelters and overcrowded collective took our housing, which we’ve spent a life- centres, with some of those living in collec- time’s earnings for? My wife and I are not tive centres being under threat of eviction. IDPs in Donetsk and Sievierodonetsk also in that age to live in a state of uncertainty”, reported cases of looting and vandalism of IDP from Donetsk region their property. Due to the inability to access adequate accommodation, some families in Sieviero- lack of access to housing for Roma was particularly donetsk had to settle in abandoned houses which re- noted due to ethnicity and large families. In Kyiv and quire major renovation and insulation. In Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv region, long-term housing was one of the top landlords reportedly refuse to rent apartments to sin- priorities identified by IDPs and many stated that un- gle males out of fear that they may have particular less a more durable solution for housing is identified, political views or may support separatists. they would have no other option but to return to the non-government controlled area even if the conflict The situation in collective varies from region to region continues. The high cost of utilities represents a sig- In Kharkiv, Sievierodonetsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, nificant financial burden for families, particularly as IDPs residing in collective centers fear evictions and displaced families often still have to pay for the util- have little guarantee of being able to continue to re- ity costs for their homes in the area of origin. Finally, side in the collective centre long-term. In addition, the compensation for damaged property was also raised number of collective centers is insufficient. None of as a serious issue that requires resolution at the high- the regions have a common collective center manage- est level. ment system: payments for utilities are set randomly, allocation of space per person is not adequate, and there are no common management standards. In many cases, such as in Kyiv region, many collective centers are located in remote areas, affecting access to services and livelihood opportunities. Concerns raised with regard to rented accommodation in the mentioned locations were in many ways similar: lack of afford- able housing, unwillingness of landlords and real estate agents to rent to IDPs, requirement to pay rent several months in advance and lack of basic items. In Kyiv it was specifically noted that large families and families from the Donbas area face discrimination when finding homes. In all locations it was also noted that following the implementation of Resolution no. 79 “We were just few steps from death”, say a couple of on the verification of IDP’s place of residence, many retired residents from Zolote. “The rocket landed in the landlords refused to rent apartments to IDPs or even middle of the yard and blasted half of our house”. requested them to move out in order to avoid verification by the State Migration Service. In Dnipropetrovsk, Photo: UNHCR Ukraine/M. Pavlovic Employment and livelihoods The adult population is facing enormous challenges than elsewhere in the country, IDPs are particularly finding employment. Many of those able to find work vulnerable, which can give rise to protection risks re- are still not able to provide for all the needs of their lating to marginalization, engagement in risky coping family (rent, clothes, food, education, healthcare, etc.). strategies and susceptibility to fraudulent schemes, etc. IDPs from the east and especially from Crimea are not IDP job seekers in all locations overwhelmingly report able to access bank accounts, property or business at difficulty in finding employment due to discriminatory the place of origin and people cannot sell or re-register practices by local employers, often offering lower sal- their property. In Kyiv, where the cost of living is higher aries and reduced incentive packages to IDPs.

3 Restrictions of movement affect access to livelihoods school childcare facilities are unavailable. The employ- in areas such as Donetsk, and Sievierodonetsk where ment situation is also highly challenging for IDP fami- restrictions on the transfer of goods have increased lies staying in remote locations which require travel to potential employers, particularly “I have been working for 37 years in a factory in given low wages and high trans- Donetsk. I did not have time to dance, I was work- port costs. Young people and ing tirelessly. And now when I have finaliy retired, university graduates expressed pessimism about employment the Government does not pay my pension, which opportunities and requested is my right, and I have to live in misery. How is relocation to other regions in Ukraine where there might be that possible?”, retired IDP woman in Donetsk more chances to find a job. Changing qualification and skills prices and created a shortage of basic food items. in order to adjust to different labour markets is a chal- Furthermore, IDPs in eastern regions also complained lenge. Overall, in all locations IDPs complained about that their vegetables or live- stock were either damaged or “I worked in Popasna, everything is destroyed stolen, while prices for seeds and other agricultural items there now. Here I cannot find a job for more than had increased, limiting people’s three months. Employment record remained at the ability to produce basic food products. In several locations, enterprise. It turns out I cannot neither register IDPs aged 50 to 60 years old at employment center, nor I receive finance assis- reported that it is extremely tance as IDP”, a displaced man in Northern Donetsk difficult for those who are reaching retirement age to find work as employers prefer to hire younger people. Sin- poor quality of government employment centers, with gle-parent families with pre-school age children have lack of information on available jobs and vocational difficulty finding work, especially in areas where pre- courses.

Registration and Documentation Access to registration and documentation was reported them to access assistance and services. In other loca- as a key protection concern, though differences were tions, such as Dnipropetrovsk, in addition to the above noted in the locations where PAs were conducted. For concerns, other issues were raised, including problems example, in Kyiv and Kyiv region, IDP registration as faced by Roma who didn’t have birth certificates or such was not raised as a major concern, while receipt or restoration of other types of civil documents was reported as a problem among the adult population. Resto- ration of various civil status documents often requires the originals or additional documents to be presented from the place of origin, which is often either not possible as people cannot physically access their places of origin or not recognized, as documents provided by the de facto authorities in the non-government controlled area are not recognized. Obtaining various civil documentation (in particular certificate of a single parent, disability status certificate, etc.) is difficult due to cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. At the time of the Participatory Assessments, the issue of verification of residence by the State Mi- A line of cars and busses waiting for inspection at Ukrainian army gration Service was still high on the agen- checkpoint in Artemivsk, Donetsk region. da and many IDPs shared their concerns that this system creates challenges for Photo: UNHCR Ukraine/P.Shelomovskiy

4 other documents and therefore were not able to “Being a person that has experienced register as IDPs, long lines and lack of coordination blocking of bank cards and impossibility in the offices of the Department of Social Pro- tection, as well as fear of military conscription. In to sustain own livelihood, I do not trust Donetsk, the main problem reported was an inabil- banking system in our country, moreo- ity to receive/restore civil documentation, mainly ver I am a wheelchair user and it is dif- passports, which then further restricts freedom of movement. In Sievierodonetsk, IDPs reported that ficult for me to move around. If after as many of them left or were evacuated with- 3 months I have to move again, shall I out any identity documents, they are not able to once again transfer my pension benefits? register as IDPs. In several locations people also expressed reluctance to register as IDPs as they do Why complicate things? I am entitled to not see any benefit in registration, considering that my pension, I have worked for so many it may stigmatize them and lead to discrimination. years”, disabled IDP from Horlivka, Donetsk region.

Access to information Despite a developed internet system, availability of nu- reliable, outdated and conflicting information. It was merous websites and hotlines, access to information also noted during the focus groups that national and was one of the cross cutting issues raised during the international agencies should improve their communi- Participatory Assessments. In general, information and cation and provide up to date and clear information counseling is a concern, especially for the elderly and about various assistance programs, including informa- disabled. IDPs complained that there is a lot of un- tion about eligibility criteria and complaint mechanisms.

Durable Solutions Durable solutions were raised as a concern in all loca- possible option and would like to remain in their cur- tions, particularly in relation to housing and livelihood rent location. One of the biggest concerns is compen- issues. All groups, especially in Kyiv and Kyiv region, sation for lost and damaged property which was also request action from the Government to develop and discussed in the context of shelter, but also as one implement sustainable and comprehensive programs of the main considerations for finding durable solu- for durable solutions. While many IDPs staying in the tions. Many IDPs are aware of the integration strategy regions adjacent to the non-government controlled that is being developed by the Government, however area consider the option of going back home when recognizing the difficult economic situation, have little the situation is resolved, others do not see this as a hope of seeing it implemented in the near future. Discrimination and Social Fragmentation Complaints about discrimination and social fragmenta- children spoke about cases of bullying and name-call- tion were voiced by IDPs in all locations and in relation ing in schools and some also felt stigmatized due to to many areas of life: while looking for accommoda- financial problems in the family as they are not able tion, as landlords often don’t want to rent to them; to enjoy the same after-school activities as other chil- while looking for jobs, with employers reluctant to hire dren. There have been challenges for some children IDPs; those applying for social assistance often hear to adapt to new schools, in particular if they have comments such as “the Government spends too much attended mainly Russian speaking schools in the area money on IDPs” and accusations of IDPs “benefiting of origin. There have been disturbing reports from from the situation”, children in school hear negative Donetsk focus groups about conflicts between ado- comments from their classmates. Such attitudes affect lescents, who found themselves in a situation when people’s morale and hampers their ability to integrate. they had “to choose sides”. The situation of children In Dnipropetrovsk, IDPs said that they feel “segregat- is a mirror image of the social tension among adults, ed” as citizens. Furthermore, in Dnipropetrovsk minori- for example during some focus groups in Kyiv region, ties expressed limited access to employment due to there were cases when IDPs would start arguing with double discrimination as IDPs and as Roma or Jews. In families who maintain contact with their relatives in the several locations, such as Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk non-government controlled area and in Crimea, con- single men reported that they have faced discrimina- sidering that those who remain behind are opposed to tion due to imputed political opinion. Serious concerns the Government. were identified during focus groups with children: IDP

5 Access to healthcare Poor health conditions, chronic illness, lack of state not able to access specialized treatment due to the dis- planning and budgeting for special treatment of dia- tance and high transport costs. Continuous problems betes, HIV/AIDS and TB: these issues were raised by in the social system, inability to benefit from treatment various groups of IDPs in all locations, mainly by the in sanatoria and lack of or limited assistance to elderly elderly, disabled and those with small children. A spe- and disabled people leaves many IDPs without proper cific need for insulin is being raised among people living medical attention. In Donetsk, the situation is further with diabetes, while lack of HIV retroviral medication worsened by the fact that delivery of medical supplies to the non-government controlled area is limited or delayed and there are loca- “Medicines are needed urgently, we did tions where there is no ambulance service not know who to turn for help to, so we at all. Due to poor shelter and sanitation conditions in collective shelters in Kharkiv, are just pooling some money ourselves to Donetsk and other locations, there have buy medicines for those that need them been health issues reported. There was an the most”, а displaced man in Sievierodonetsk increase of pregnant women arriving in Sievierodonetsk, with the number of births almost tripling due to pregnant women was raised in Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv. High prices for travelling from the non-government controlled area in other medication, lack of reduced prices for vulner- order to be able to give birth and most importantly able groups, and the need for continuous treatment obtain birth certificates in the government controlled for those with chronic illnesses was also highlighted in area. Despite the fact that health care is to be provided many PA groups. Mental health and the need for psy- free to all citizens of Ukraine, all groups complained chosocial support was specifically mentioned for chil- that unofficial payments in hospitals have been and dren who witnessed conflict or experience trauma due continue to be a regular routine. to displacement. People living in remote areas are often

Mental health Displacement has reportedly led to trauma, stress and Social fragmentation, family separation, economic mental health issues, in particular in Donetsk. IDPs problems and an unclear future affects IDP’s mental stated that they are not accustomed to seeking psy- state, which can lead to tension and conflict, espe- chological help and are reluctant to do so. Many are cially in areas with a of high concentration of IDPs, also demoralized because of the destruction of their such as collective centers. homes and lack of assistance from local authorities.

Child protection and education The protection concerns of IDP children are relat- for kindergarten places, which created tensions with ed to other protection risks, including registration, the host communities. With regard to primary and freedom of movement, shelter, etc. PA results from secondary school education, parents noted a dete- Dnipropetrovsk report child protection concerns rioration in school performance of their children, and linked to family separation, including access to reg- complained about indirect costs that they have to istration and social benefits, access to education and cover for the schools. Families are not able to afford health of separated children. Access to registration extracurricular activities or tutors. School children for separated children represents one of the main shared their experience of feeling discriminated by protection risks in all locations and was reported by their fellow classmates. Parents of graduate school all groups. Families in Kharkiv stated that educational students both from Crimea and Donbas expressed institutions in the non-government controlled area their concern about their children’s future admission are reluctant to provide children with academic doc- to universities, and specifically the lack of a quota uments, hindering access of children to education for Crimeans in universities in Ukraine. University stu- facilities. A severe shortage of places in kindergar- dents reported difficulties with transfer universities tens and pre-schools was reported by IDP families in the government controlled area. Military presence with children aged 3 to 6 years. Parents shared con- and concerns related to the non-civilian nature of cerns regarding lack of transparency and additional displacement were specifically reported in Donetsk payments for kindergartens. In other locations, such region. There have been reports of minors at risk as Kyiv IDPs were prioritized over host communities of military recruitment in Donetsk. Furthermore, the

6 issuance of birth certificates for children born in the non-government controlled area and Crimea which were then not recognized in government controlled areas of Ukraine was specifically highlighted as a child protection concern.

Tetyana from Donetsk (right) and Lyudmyla from Luhansk region (left) spend their usual days in a temporary center for displaced people from the conflict affected area in Kharkiv. High costs of living, lack of access to humanitarian assistance and delays in social benefits impact health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable: mothers with children.

Photo: UNHCR Ukraine/Y.Chalov

Social protection and basic needs Access to social services, addressing basic needs and noted that they are being left out of assistance dis- “making ends meet” is a daily struggle for a sig- tribution as they are not considered vulnerable and it nificant number of IDPs. While the Government has is presumed that they are working. They recommend made efforts to support the displaced population by that assistance activities should also take into account adopting relevant legislation and allocating available categories that do not meet the traditional vulner- resources to provide financial assistance, the needs of ability criteria. In Kyiv, IDPs also shared their concerns the population, many of whom fled with little or no that they hear of more support being provided in the belongings, remain high. Moreover, in all locations de- regions close to the contact line while their needs and lays of payment of state social assistance have been problems are not heard. reported. Adults, in particular those reaching retirement age, expressed feelings of being abandoned, many stated that they have worked all their life to achieve a certain level of wellbeing and now have had to leave behind all that they have earned with many years of hard work. The overall economic situation, the fall of the exchange rate of the hryvnia, an increase of prices for basic items as well as utilities has significantly affected the entire population and in particular those displaced and affected by the conflict. Displaced people are not able to access their bank accounts or sell their property. Basic household items remain in need among IDP families. High prices of goods and a limited choice of items lead to lack of basic hygiene items and non-food items (NFIs) which was reported in Donetsk. In other locations, IDPs also lack clothes and basic household items, most of which do not fall into the standard NFI packages provided by UNHCR and other organizations and often can be only provided by private donations and volunteers. With regard to humanitarian assistance and in addition to lack of information and clear criteria by hu- People displaced by the conflict in Ukraine search through donations of second-hand clothes at a transit center in the manitarian agencies which was mentioned in the sec- city of Dnipropetrovsk. Aid at the center comes in the form tion on access to information, IDPs also complain that of blankets, hygiene kits and second hand clothes. Nearly assistance often does not reach remote areas. IDPs 80,000 people are now registered as IDPs in Dnipropetrovsk. of working age who do not have any health issues or meet other vulnerability criteria and IDP men also Photo: UNHCR/A.McConnell

7 RECOMMENDATIONS

Participatory Assessment has been an important tool in To facilitate access to legal assistance and counseling: engaging with IDPs as well as strengthening collabora- The Government should ensure quality implemen- tion with government and public organizations working tation of the law on free legal aid; in the humanitarian sphere. International and national organizations to Protection concerns raised in this report are not ex- strengthen and improve legal assistance and haustive and each location is characterized with its own counseling; particularities. For more information on the protection situation in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Sievierodonetsk, The Government, international organizations and Donetsk, Kyiv and Kyiv region, additional PA reports NGOs should improve coordination and referral are available. It should be kept in mind that the Partici- of legal cases. patory Assessments in these locations were conducted To improve the socio-economic situation of IDPs: between April and June 2015 and many developments, The Government and humanitarian/development both positive and negative, have taken place since then. organizations should seek to assist IDPs in becom- This report summarises the most commonly reported ing self-reliant; and long standing issues. Advocacy and capacity building measures should As part of the Participatory Assessment process, UN- be taken to enhance IDPs’ access to private and HCR and partners have asked IDPs to come up with public services and institutions (employment cent- recommendations on possible actions to address their ers, volunteer initiatives and specialized NGOs) concerns. In each particular location specific sugges- that can boost livelihood development and self- tions were voiced by IDPs, the most common have reliance; been summarized below: The Government, international organizations and NGOs should develop livelihood strategies tailored To improve access to information at all levels: to the needs of different groups of IDPs; Material assistance to IDPs should remain as an Relevant government authorities should ensure option and be designed in a way that leads to easily accessible and clear information on legislative self-sufficiency. developments affecting IDPs, provision of clarifica- tion and counseling on procedures and regulations; To improve access to and quality of services: Humanitarian actors, social organizations and pub- Ensure access to free and quality health services for lic institutions should develop communication with IDPs; communities strategies and ensure that informa- Ensure access to pre-school, school and higher tion on assistance programmes is made available in education for IDP children; a friendly and accessible manner. The Government, international organizations and To improve coordination in order to ensure effective NGOs should improve access to psycho-social protection and delivery of assistance: support and services, particularly for the elderly and children. Humanitarian actors must ensure the Do No Harm approach is present in all aspects of their program- To finalize the development and ensure implementa- ming; tion of the durable solutions strategy: Assistance should reach people wherever they are Solutions strategy should include consideration for located, be designed to address the actual needs integration and return, ensuring appropriate infor- and be appropriately distributed in all regions host- mation dissemination on both options; ing IDPs. Advocate for adoption of relevant legislation to ensure compensation for lost and damaged prop- To consolidate advocacy efforts to improve legis- erty; lative framework concerning IDPs: Ensure access to banks and financial services for Advocate on lifting restrictions on freedom of IDPs; movement of people and goods; Ensure access to housing, including social hous- Harmonize legislation and relevant implementation ing, development of long-term housing solutions resolutions with regard to registration, documen- as well as rehabilitation/restoration of damaged tation and access to services. houses.