UNHCR has been working in Ukraine since 1994 and established a country office the following year. A host country agreement was signed in September 1996. Since 2014, their work in the country has been mainly part of inter-agency efforts by the United Nations, campaigning for, and responding to, the protection needs of 1.8 million internally displaced people (IDP) and others affected by the conflict. Thanks to the presence of UNHCR and partners in government-controlled and non-government-controlled areas, human rights violations and protection risks encountered by IDPs and others can be identified.

They continuously monitor protection at a community and an individual level. With their partners they provide shelter and non-food assistance to IDPs and others affected by the conflict and help repair damaged homes.

At the end of November 2017, Ukraine was hosting some 3,250 refugees and 5,500 asylum-seekers, most of whom were from Afghanistan and Syria. At the end of 2016, it was estimated that more than 35,000 people were stateless. They will continue to work with the government to bring Ukraine’s asylum system into line with international standards.