Regulatory framework
The activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partner organizations in Ukraine are regulated by various international and national documents.
The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees are the main international instruments that regulate the protection of refugee rights. According to these documents, refugees are people who, due to political persecution, war, violence or other circumstances, were forced to leave their country and cannot return there due to fear of persecution.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on the basis of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. UNHCR’s charter defines its mission and tasks in ensuring the protection of the rights of refugees and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection.
Ukraine has its own regulatory framework for the protection of the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. The Law of Ukraine “On Refugees and Persons in Need of Additional or Temporary Protection” defines the status of refugees and procedures for their recognition. The Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons” defines the legal status of internally displaced persons and their rights and freedoms.
The agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees defines cooperation between Ukraine and UNHCR in ensuring the protection of the rights of refugees and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection.
General information about UNHCR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the main UN body responsible for coordinating and providing assistance to refugees and other persons in need of subsidiary or temporary protection. UNHCR operates in more than 130 countries around the world and aims to provide protection and assistance to more than 68 million people who are in difficult life circumstances.
UNHCR has been working in Ukraine since 1992. UNHCR in Ukraine coordinates and provides assistance in the areas of protection, protection of the rights and interests of refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection.
Legal regulation of UNHCR activities in Ukraine
The activities of the UNHCR in Ukraine are regulated by the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was signed in 1994.
The agreement defines the status of UNHCR in Ukraine, its tasks and functions. The agreement also establishes procedures for cooperation between Ukraine and UNHCR in providing protection and assistance to refugees and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection.
UNHCR donors in Ukraine
UNHCR’s activities in Ukraine are financed by funds provided by donors. Among the largest donors of UNHCR in Ukraine are the European Union, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the USA.
Main activities of UNHCR in Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine provides protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection. UNHCR’s activities in Ukraine are focused on the following main areas:
Activities in the field of protection
Refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons
UNHCR in Ukraine provides protection
t of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons. UNHCR in Ukraine provides consultations on issues of legal protection and assistance to refugees and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection. In addition, UNHCR in Ukraine monitors the situation with the rights of refugees and other persons in need of additional or temporary protection and develops recommendations for improving their situation.
Internally Displaced Persons</ h4>
UNHCR in Ukraine provides protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs). UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with state bodies and non-governmental organizations that provide assistance to IDPs. In addition, UNHCR in Ukraine provides support in providing housing, medical care, education and other needs of IDPs.
Long-term solutions of UNHCR in Ukraine
Local integration
UNHCR in Ukraine carries out activities on the local integration of refugees and IDPs. UNHCR in Ukraine promotes the integration of refugees and IDPs into local communities by providing legal aid, educational and professional courses, as well as business development.
Provision of grants for professional courses
UNHCR in Ukraine provides grants for professional courses to refugees and IDPs. This helps them acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure their economic independence and integration into the local community.
Providing self-sufficiency grants
UNHCR in Ukraine provides grants for self-sufficiency to refugees and IDPs. This helps them provide themselves and their families with the resources they need, including housing, food and medical care.
Voluntary repatriation
UNHCR in Ukraine promotes the voluntary repatriation of refugees who no longer need international protection and IDPs who wish to return to the territory of their country. UNHCR in Ukraine provides assistance in solving organizational issues and ensuring safe return.
Relocation
UNHCR in Ukraine promotes the resettlement of refugees and IDPs to third countries, where they can receive international protection and better conditions for integration. UNHCR in Ukraine provides assistance in preparing the necessary documentation and organizing resettlement.
Protection at the community level
UNHCR in Ukraine promotes the protection of refugees and IDPs at the community level. UNHCR in Ukraine develops programs to build intercultural dialogue and raise public awareness of the rights of refugees and IDPs.
Non-food aid
UNHCR in Ukraine provides non-food aid to refugees and IDPs who are in difficult humanitarian conditions, including those who are in war zones or victims of natural disasters.
Advocacy
UNHCR in Ukraine advocates the rights of refugees and IDPs at the level of state bodies and the public. UNHCR in Ukraine promotes the development of legal culture among citizens and provides access to legal assistance and consultations on issues of international protection and other legal issues related to the status of refugees and IDPs.
Interaction of UNHCR with the state bodies of Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine
and cooperates with the state authorities of Ukraine, which aims to improve the situation of refugees and IDPs in Ukraine. To this end, UNHCR cooperates with the following bodies:
Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in order to ensure the legal protection of refugees and IDPs, as well as to improve the conditions of their stay in Ukraine. UNHCR interacts with the Ministry of Internal Affairs on improving the quality of the procedure for recognizing refugee status, as well as in matters related to ensuring the security and protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs.
State Migration Service (SMS)
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the State Migration Service in order to improve migration control procedures and management of migration processes in Ukraine, including ensuring the rights and interests of refugees and IDPs.
State Border Service of Ukraine (SPSU)
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the DPSU to improve control over the entry and exit of refugees and IDPs, as well as to ensure the security and protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs at the state border.
Judiciary of Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the judicial authorities of Ukraine in cases related to the status of refugees and IDPs. UNHCR promotes the provision of legal assistance and consultations to refugees and IDPs, and monitors court decisions in cases related to the status of refugees and IDPs.
Coordinating center for the provision of legal assistance
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the Coordinating Center for the provision of legal assistance in order to ensure access of refugees and IDPs to legal assistance and consultations.
Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to ensure the protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs, as well as to ensure their access to legal aid and consultations.
Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine to ensure the protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs, as well as to ensure their access to necessary social and medical services.
UNHCR partner non-governmental organizations
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with non-governmental partner organizations with the aim of joint work on the problems of refugees and IDPs. Such organizations include, in particular, the International Organization for Migration, the Red Cross, Caritas, the Legal Clinic and others. Cooperation with partner non-governmental organizations allows to implement more effective projects and programs to support refugees and IDPs in Ukraine.
Interaction of UNHCR with other UN agencies in Ukraine
UNHCR in Ukraine cooperates with other UN agencies, such as UNICEF, HAI, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and others. Cooperation with other UN agencies makes it possible to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the problems of refugees and IDPs in Ukraine, as well as to avoid duplication of efforts and resources.
Legal, economic, cultural features
The successful work of UNHCR in Ukraine depends on taking into account the legal, economic and cultural characteristics of the country. For example, taking into account the legislation of Ukraine on refugees and IDPs is an important element of UNHCR’s work. It is also important to take into account the economic situation in the country and take actions that will help refugees and IDPs integrate into the country’s economy. Cultural characteristics are also important, as they help to ensure the effectiveness of work with refugees and IDPs, in particular by ensuring cultural adaptation and the development of intercultural interaction.
Despite the seriousness of work related to refugees and IDPs, sometimes funny situations arise related to these issues. Here are some examples from the lives of clients:
- A refugee from South Asia turned to the UNHCR in Ukraine to get help in processing documents for residence in the country. However, due to his poor knowledge of the Ukrainian language, he mistakenly filled out the questionnaire, where he indicated his gender as “female”. This led to certain inconveniences during the further processing of documents.
- An IDP from Russia appealed to the UNHCR in Ukraine to help with the registration of refugee status. However, due to his mispronunciation, he mistakenly stated his country of origin as “Hungary”. After the error was corrected, documents for refugee status were successfully issued.
- Refugees from Afghanistan appealed to the UNHCR in Ukraine for help in finding a job. However, due to their incorrect pronunciation, they mistakenly asked about the possibility of “working with animals”. After clarification, it was clear that they meant “to work in the field of agriculture”.
- An IDP from China appealed to the UNHCR in Ukraine for help in restoring documents that were lost during persecution in their native country. UNHCR in Ukraine provided support in drawing up the necessary documents and streamlining the legal situation of IDPs.
- A refugee from Afghanistan appealed to the UNHCR in Ukraine for help in solving the issue of obtaining medical aid and medicines for herself and her family. UNHCR in Ukraine provided consultations on the legal aspects of receiving medical assistance for refugees and IDPs, and also helped in providing the necessary medicines.
UNHCR in Ukraine actively works with refugees and IDPs, providing them with support in various areas and protecting their rights and interests. Despite the difficult political and economic situation in the country, UNHCR continues to work for those in need of help and support.
In addition, it is important to note that UNHCR’s activities in Ukraine require support and assistance from state bodies and the public. This will ensure more effective and coordinated work to provide the necessary support and protection of the rights of those in need of assistance and protection.
The next step for helping refugees and IDPs in Ukraine may be to attract more public and private organizations to work with them. It is also important to develop educational and information campaigns for the public in order to ensure their more effective inclusion in society and reduce stereotypes about refugees and IDPs.
UNHCR in Ukraine will continue its work to provide protection and support to those in need of assistance and protection. Va
it’s good to remember that it depends on us how we treat these people who are in a difficult life situation. Providing protection and assistance to refugees and IDPs is not only our moral duty, but also an important component of the social responsibility of every citizen and the state in general. UNHCR’s work in Ukraine is of great importance to provide protection and support to refugees and IDPs, so we must support these efforts and help where possible.
During the war in Ukraine: Activities of the UN Refugee Agency and its partner organizations in Ukraine
During the war in Ukraine, UNHCR in Ukraine performs important tasks related to the protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs. As part of its activities, UNHCR provided assistance to refugees and IDPs who were forced to leave their homes due to the war in Ukraine. UNHCR helped these people get temporary shelter, medical care and other necessary resources.
UNHCR in Ukraine also contributed to ensuring the safety of refugees and IDPs at the state border. The agency monitored the situation at the border and cooperated with government authorities to ensure the safety and protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs.
UNHCR’s partner organizations in Ukraine also played an important role in providing assistance to refugees and IDPs during the war. They provided medical care, housing and other resources to help people in difficult circumstances.
Conclusion
The activities of the UN Refugee Agency and its partner organizations in Ukraine are very important for the protection of the rights of refugees and IDPs in the country. UNHCR in Ukraine provides a variety of assistance to refugees and IDPs, including temporary shelter, medical assistance, legal assistance, and assistance with education and employment.
If you are in Ukraine and need help with your refugee or IDP status, contact Despacho Internacional “Intereses legitimos”. We offer services for obtaining refugee status, legal assistance.
Our services are provided remotely for your convenience and privacy. We understand how important it is to have a sense of security, confidence and stability for yourself and your family. Therefore, we offer the best solutions for you and your family.
By contacting us, you will receive professional help and support in all matters related to the status of a refugee and an IDP in Ukraine. Our specialists will do their best to help you solve the problems you encountered.
Contact Despacho Internacional “Intereses legítimos” today and get the professional help and support you and your family need.
