Due to the large number of legal inquiries from residents of the Sumy region, our team conducted a series of outreach information sessions within the framework of the project “Improving Access to Legal Protection, Strengthening the Role of Communities and IDP Councils, and Promoting Decent Living Conditions for Conflict-Affected Populations.” In particular, during visits to Okhtyrka, Chernechchyna, Boromlia, and Korovyntsi, the project’s lawyers provided individual consultations to internally displaced persons and local residents affected by the consequences of the war.
Lawyer Iryna Koriak notes that timely legal assistance is often crucial for people: “Citizens face many complex issues related to the restoration of documents, obtaining social payments, protection of property rights, as well as inheritance and housing legislation. It is extremely difficult to navigate these matters independently. During outreach consultations, we carefully review each case and provide people with a clear legal action plan. Our main goal is to help citizens protect their rights within the legal framework and find practical solutions to their problems.”
The team also carried out separate activities in Nedryhailiv, where a training session was held for representatives of local self-government bodies on the latest legislative changes concerning the protection of internally displaced persons. Since local authorities are often the first to assist people forced to relocate, it is essential for officials to stay up to date with legal developments. To further strengthen coordination in the region, a series of meetings with IDP Councils of the Sumy region were organized in the target communities. This comprehensive approach helps establish direct dialogue between internally displaced persons, lawyers, and communities in order to resolve issues as quickly and effectively as possible.
This publication was made possible through the project “Improving Access to Legal Protection and Strengthening the Role of Communities and IDP Councils in Supporting Affected Populations in Sumy Region”, implemented by the Charitable Organization “Stabilization Support Services” together with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ukraine, with support from Norway.