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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

UNHCR provides support to internally displaced persons, people who have returned to their permanent places of residence, and other groups affected by the war.

Main types of assistance:

Cash assistance

UNHCR provides cash assistance to the most vulnerable groups to cover basic needs.

Categories of people eligible for UNHCR cash assistance:

  • People affected by shelling that has led to a sudden increase in household expenses or a loss of income.
  • People who have been forced to leave their homes due to danger, shelling or official evacuation orders.
  • Vulnerable households displaced within the last six months that have not received assistance through the cash assistance program as evacuees may also receive assistance.
  • Vulnerable people living in territories within 50 kilometers of the front line or the Ukrainian-Russian border, as well as vulnerable people who have been internally displaced within the last 6 months and live in this area;
  • Vulnerable people who have been displaced for more than 6 months and are eligible for state IDP living assistance but cannot receive it. Assistance is provided only by referral as part of a systematic approach to assessing household needs.
  • Vulnerable people who were forced to leave Ukraine after 24 February 2022, have returned to Ukraine from abroad within the last 12 months and have remained in Ukraine continuously for at least three months;
  • Vulnerable internally displaced persons who have returned to their permanent places of residence in Ukraine within the last 12 months and have remained at their place of return continuously for at least three months.

For IDPs and returnees, an additional prioritization assessment is carried out through a survey. Humanitarian organizations determine priorities based on clear and agreed criteria, such as:

  • exposure to danger or war (proximity to the line of contact or the fact of displacement);
  • living conditions (rural or urban area);
  • household size;
  • household circumstances (for example, whether the household includes older people, people with disabilities or children);
  • the household’s socioeconomic status.

How can you receive assistance?

Assistance is provided in accordance with vulnerability criteria and an assessment of household needs carried out by UNHCR partner organizations.

Current eligibility conditions, assistance amounts, time frames and application procedures should be confirmed directly with partner organizations.

Free legal aid

Through partner organizations, UNHCR provides access to free legal aid for internally displaced persons, people who have returned to their permanent places of residence, and others affected by the war.

Legal aid covers:

  • obtaining and replacing documents, including identity documents and birth and marriage certificates;
  • pension and social benefit issues;
  • advice on obtaining compensation for damaged or destroyed housing;
  • employment and property rights issues;
  • explanations of legislation concerning the rights of internally displaced persons and others affected by the war.

How can you receive assistance?

To receive advice, contact UNHCR partner organizations.

The list of partner organizations is available here: https://help.unhcr.org/ukraine/where-to-seek-help-2/legal-aid-in-ukraine/.

Psychological support

UNHCR facilitates access to psychological and emotional support for internally displaced persons and other people affected by the war who are experiencing stress, anxiety or difficult life circumstances.

Psychological support and counseling are also available through the following contacts:

  • 0 800 100 102 - National Psychological Association. The line operates daily from 09:00 to 17:00.
  • 116 123 - La Strada-Ukraine. Psychological and legal assistance, including on issues of gender-based violence.
  • 1547 - the government hotline on combating human trafficking, domestic violence, gender-based violence and violence against children.

Housing support

UNHCR supports the most vulnerable groups affected by the war, including internally displaced persons, people whose housing has been damaged or destroyed, and residents of affected communities.

Main areas of housing support:

  1. Emergency repair material kits for urgent home repairs.
  2. Assistance with installing materials for families unable to carry out the work themselves.
  3. Home repairs involving contractors and the provision of construction materials.
  4. Modular homes for people whose housing has been destroyed or who have left their permanent places of residence.
  5. “Workshops on wheels”: technical advice, provision of tools, installation of windows and doors, and roof repairs.
  6. Repair of common areas in apartment buildings to enable access to the state eVidnovlennia compensation program.
  7. Repair of damaged social infrastructure facilities, as well as facilities operating under increased pressure.
  8. Improving living conditions for IDPs and increasing capacity at temporary accommodation sites, including through repairs and improvements in energy efficiency and accessibility.
  9. Repair of rural houses for IDPs who cannot return to their previous homes.
  10. Rental assistance: covering rent for six months, the rental deposit and utilities.
  11. Social housing for IDPs who need a long-term housing solution.

How can you receive assistance?

Information on available housing programs, eligibility criteria and application procedures can be obtained through UNHCR partner organizations.

Assistance from UNHCR and its partner organizations is provided free of charge. Conditions, program availability and procedures for obtaining support may vary depending on the region and current needs.