Improvement of housing conditions, provision of jobs, quality medical care and opportunities to participate in self-governance: the issues of greatest concern to internally displaced persons (IDPs) were discussed at the regional forum “IDPs’ integration in Rivnenska oblast: issues, solutions and the role of IDP Council”. The event was organized by the United Voices in Action program team.
It was the first time in the region that representatives of local authorities, NGOs, social protection specialists and IDPs themselves gathered at one venue. According to the Regional program coordinator Serhiy Illyuk, the main goal of the forum is to unite all those involved in solving IDP issues and to hear from IDPs about their needs:
“One of the systemic solutions should be the creation of a coordinating advisory body at local governments on IDP issues. Such a tool will help IDPs to communicate with the authorities, adapt to life in a new place faster and feel part of the community.”
Currently, more than 57 thousand IDPs live in Rivnenska oblast. To make them feel part of the community, they need help with employment, said Vitaliy Koval, head of the Rivne Regional Military Administration:
“Busy hands will never give up. That is why together with the regional employment centers we help IDPs find jobs. Rivnenska oblast is also growing economically. 39 companies have moved to our oblast. Rivne Regional Military Administration supported them and allowed them to pay taxes to the communities they left. After all, such assistance is more needed there.”
IDPs are also offered professional retraining. At the same time, according to Olha Horkavchuk, head of DIYA Association of Women of Ukraine, one of the most urgent needs is to create a unified information base of people who have moved to the region:
“In order to understand who these people are, what qualifications they have, what they know and can. It will not be the format of a typical CV, rather an assessment of labor force capabilities. Thus, on one hand, we collect information about those who are currently on the labor market and ready to work. And on the other hand, we currently have 58 licensed specializations for a person to study.”
The participants discussed key issues in thematic groups. These included self-organization of IDPs, access to medical services during the war, and housing provision.
Major achievements of the forum included a resolution to establish a coordinating advisory body on IDPs at the City Council. The document was signed by 90 participants.
The event was held in the frames of the United Voices in Action program implemented by IREX in Ukraine together with the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and with the support of the U.S. Department of State.