With almost 6.5 million Ukrainian refugees globally, the scale of the crisis highlights the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance and integration efforts. As the Ukraine crisis has marked the fastest-growing refugee situation in Europe since World War II, the need for a lasting peace and immediate resolution to the conflict remains urgent.
© UNHCR/Dobrin Kashavelov
The Nordic and Baltic countries have played a crucial role in the continued reception and integration efforts of Ukrainian refugees, collectively welcoming more than 350,000 individuals since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. This influx underscores the Nordic and Baltic countries’ commitment to offering safety and support to those fleeing conflict and instability.
While there are many similarities, the Nordic countries have used different approaches to the reception of Ukrainian refugees. Denmark, Finland, and Norway offer introductory integration programs including language and work-related education, while Iceland and Sweden provide online community education courses.
Despite discrepancies, all Nordic countries ensure access to education and health services for Ukrainian refugees, with Sweden only providing urgent primary healthcare. Activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive streamlined response efforts, alleviating pressure on asylum systems, and fostering integration, largely facilitated by the welcoming attitudes of governments and civil society.
“Kindness of strangers can literally save lives. It continues to save mine. It has this power to bring me back to a normal social human again when it feels like the world is ending and I’m going down with it. It helps to find the resilience and strength that I never knew I had” – Olga, residing in Sweden since March 2022 and participant of UNHCR’s Refugee Speakers Programme 2023.
The three Baltic countries employed collaborative measures involving the government, civil society, and host communities to implement a comprehensive approach for receiving and safeguarding Ukrainian refugees. Latvia demonstrated readiness to support Ukrainian refugees, swiftly adopting the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians in early March 2022. This legislation ensures equal access to rights and services, including accommodation, food, education, healthcare, and social protection. Through the Regional Refugee Response Plan, UNHCR is supporting the Baltic countries.
Civil society organizations like Estonian Human Rights Centre (EHRC), a UNHCR partner, exemplify the collaborative efforts within the region to assist Ukrainian refugees. EHRC has intensified its efforts by providing legal counseling, information, and pursuing strategic legal cases to ensure the refugees receive necessary legal and social assistance. Moreover, the center has organized events aimed at fostering mutual understanding and support between refugees from Ukraine and local Estonians.
In Lithuania, the civil society organization Foundation Telšiai with Ukraine are supporting more than 70 refugees from Ukraine. Their support encompasses a range of community-based cultural activies, such as music and dance events, art therapy, cooking classes, and sports activities. Additionally, they offer support in employment opportunities and skills training to help integrate Ukrainian refugees into their new home country.
To strengthen ties between refugees and their host communities, UNHCR and UEFA joined forces to create the UNITY EURO Cup. The teams are made up of refugees and locals from across Europe and in 2023 Latvia participated for the first time with a team consisting of 8 Ukrainian refugees and 3 locals. This initiative highlights the power of integration through sports, supports refugee access to sport and enhances social inclusion.
UNHCR’s presence in Ukraine and neighboring countries is instrumental in providing crucial humanitarian aid and protection to those in need, while also collaborating with national authorities to facilitate the reception and integration of refugees from Ukraine.
Denmark:
37,160 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Denmark since February 2022. 48,680 refugees from Ukraine have applied for asylum, temporary protection, or similar national protection schemes in Denmark since February 2022.
Under the Special Act in Denmark, Ukrainian refugees are entitled to access to education, healthcare, housing, and work. Ukrainian children have full access to the Danish school system, with provisions for education in Ukrainian or English. Additionally, refugees can access vocational education and have their qualifications recognized for higher education. Essential medical services are available during the residence permit application process, with free treatment upon obtaining a temporary residence permit.
Estonia:
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Estonia has registered 38,245 Ukrainian refugees and received asylum, temporary protection, or similar national protection requests from 57,725 refugees.
When receiving Ukrainian refugees, Estonia has focused on three key objectives: maintaining the sustainability of public and state services, fostering refugee self-sufficiency and independence, and facilitating integration into Estonian society while preserving ties to Ukrainian language and culture.
Finland:
65,515 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Finland since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. 66,010 refugees from Ukraine have applied for asylum, temporary protection, or similar national protection in Finland since the full-scale attack in 2022.
In Finland, Ukrainian refugees can choose between being accommodated in reception centers or self-arranged housing. These centers provide healthcare, a reception allowance, and social support, alongside interpretation and counseling services. Integration training is accessible through Employment and Economic Development Offices, and so is immediate access to work. Educational opportunities cover both children and adults, with special funding supporting higher education transfers. Ukrainian refugees have the right to health and social welfare services on the same level as residents of Finnish municipalities.
Iceland:
3,910 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Iceland since the invasion began in February 2022. 3,880 refugees from Ukraine have applied for shelter, temporary protection, or similar protection measures in Iceland since the beginning of the invasion in 2022.
Refugees from Ukraine arriving in Iceland are met with a support system that encompasses access to temporary housing and assistance in finding long-term accommodation, essential social services, access to the labor market through residence permits, full healthcare services, financial aid, and education for children.
Latvia:
43,825 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Latvia since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, and 52,120 refugees have requested asylum, temporary protection, or similar state protection schemes.
After the full-scale invasion, Latvia quickly adopted the Law of Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians to ensure effective protection and equal access to rights and services for refugees from Ukraine, mirroring those available to Latvian citizens. The Law provides support with accommodation and food, expedited registration, and access to education, healthcare, and social protection.
Lithuania:
52,670 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Lithuania since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, and 83,750 refugees from Ukraine have applied for asylum, temporary protection, or similar national protection.
This has been Lithuania’s largest refugee response in its history, and it has taken collaboration between Government, civil society, and the host community to coordinate a response that focuses on the reception and protection of Ukrainian refugees. The response also emphasizes inclusion in the national Lithuanian education system, public services, and the work force.
Norway:
68,060 refugees from Ukraine have been recorded in Norway since the full-scale invasion in February 2022. 74,030 refugees from Ukraine have applied for asylum or temporary protection in Norway since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Refugees from Ukraine settling in Norway are provided housing in reception centers or temporary alternatives, with relocation to a municipality necessary for financial support and access to the Introduction Programme, offering language training, job assistance, and financial aid. Ukrainian refugees are entitled to the right to work upon receiving a temporary residence permit. Norway also offers various levels of education, including language support and funding for higher education, alongside healthcare services on par with citizens.
Sweden:
42,040 refugees from Ukraine have been registered in Sweden and 64,900 have applied for asylum, temporary protection, or similar national protection systems in Sweden since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
In Sweden, Ukrainian refugees are offered accommodation, either provided by the Swedish Migration Agency or municipalities, alongside the rights to education for children, urgent healthcare and essential treatment for illness, and a daily financial allowance. Ukrainian refugees also have the right to work upon receiving a residence permit, with additional support provided by programs such as ‘Work for Ukrainians’ offered by Folkuniversitet.
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