UNHCR launches digital platform with up-to-date information on assistance and services for people displaced by war on Ukraine

On the new “Ukraine is Home” platform, Ukrainians, who have fled the full-scale invasion by Russia and become internally displaced or refugees abroad, can find practical and updated information about rights, entitlements, and access to services—to help them make well-informed decisions regarding voluntary return or continued stay in host communities or countries.   

Kyiv – Today, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, officially launches its innovative Ukraine is Home digital information platform. This online portal aims to provide timely and impartial information to millions of people displaced by the full-scale war. It is designed to help Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced make informed decisions regarding potential return—or continued stay in host countries or host communities.  Users can find guidance on accessing the Government’s compensation mechanisms for destroyed or damaged homes, and eligibility requirements when applying from abroad; personal documents to obtain before and bring when returning to Ukraine; and access to free legal aid and cash assistance provided by UNHCR and its local partners, amongst others. More information on key topics of interest and relevance for return are continuously being added. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked closely with UNHCR to provide links and information on consular services in host countries, which are often crucial for refugees considering voluntary return.  

“We welcome the leadership and coordination role of UNHCR in assisting Ukrainians both in the country and abroad. As long as the Russian aggression continues, our people abroad need international assistance and support,” said Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. “At the same time, we are ready to work together to help those Ukrainians abroad who are ready to return to their homes. In this regard, we expect that the Ukraine is Home platform, launched by UNHCR will be one important tool. This platform will help people get reliable and up-to-date information on all issues related to returning to Ukraine, see what opportunities and benefits are available, and make an informed decision.”  

To develop a platform responsive to the information needs of millions of forcibly displaced Ukrainians, UNHCR engaged a young Ukrainian refugee to lead the design of the platform and to develop the content—based on trending topics and key questions emerging among refugees on social media sites and in chat rooms, as well as in local community centers. Likewise, the graphics on the site were done by a local artist, Olga Gaidouhe, from Lviv region — giving the site a distinctly Ukrainian character and feel.    

UNHCR is not actively promoting return to Ukraine at this time when the war continues – and the  deadly attacks on Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro and Pokrovsk just last week provided a stark reminder of the devastation and risks people face on a daily basis. At the same time, the majority of Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people interviewed in UNHCR’s periodic intention surveys maintain a hope and intention to return to their homes, and thousands of Ukrainians continue to cross back and forth over the borders with neighboring countries every day – some to return permanently and others to visit family or friends. Many of them are searching for objective information on key topics, like access to housing compensation, job opportunities and assistance available, to inform their decisions and prepare for return. Through the Ukraine is Home portal, UNHCR provides up-to-date information on such topics and listens to Ukrainians’ feedback on other areas of relevance to help them make free and informed decisions on return.   

“We must continue supporting refugees from Ukraine, but we must also be ready to assist them return to their homes, whenever they think it is safe and the right time to do so. Maintaining connection and having credible and real-time information, including on available support, is vital to help people make informed decisions, plan for their future and preserve hope,” says Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who is currently on his fifth visit to Ukraine since the massive escalation of the war in February 2022.  

UNHCR regularly surveys the situation and intention of Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people, and the majority continue to express their intentions to return home. While insecurity remains the cited key factor preventing returns, access to housing, employment and basic services are also mentioned as vital enablers for return.  

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, UNHCR supported 4.3 million people in Ukraine in 2022 with different humanitarian and recovery programmes; 2.63 million people in 2023; and has so far in 2024 delivered nearly 950,000 multisectoral services to war-affected people across the country. Together with partners, UNHCR has supported the repairs of some 30,000 homes across Ukraine, helping people to return home or remain in their communities, and has provided legal consultations to 150,000 people, assisting them to restore documents, register for assistance, and access other social services.