Ministry for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons and UNHCR work out joint solutions to support IDPs

Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine Vitalii Bezhin, together with his deputies, met with UNHCR Representative in Ukraine Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth. The sides discussed how to build a single evacuation pathway for people forced to leave their homes: how to prepare for departure, where to stay temporarily, how to integrate into a new community and how to find permanent housing.

The need is urgent. In the first nine months of 2026, about 128,000 evacuees passed through transit centres, 2.5 times more than last year. Almost half of them are older people and people with limited mobility. The sides therefore discussed joint steps through which UNHCR can support the Ministry.

A comprehensive approach to evacuation. We value UNHCR's experience in organizing evacuation efforts, including early warning, psychological preparation, departure planning and advance housing search. Particular attention to people with limited mobility, who need additional support, is especially important. Kherson region is a telling example: at the request of the regional military administration, an evacuation plan was prepared in just 24 hours.

Support after evacuation. We appreciate UNHCR's assistance to people evacuated from Oleshky: financial support, help with restoring documents and finding housing. This approach ensures that people are not left to face their problems alone after evacuation. We would welcome deeper cooperation and joint development of support mechanisms at every stage, from preparing for evacuation to settling in a new place of residence.

Data collection. Effective decisions require a full and up-to-date picture of needs. A tool for this already exists: the SIDAR system. It makes it possible to assess IDP accommodation capacity, see what repairs temporary accommodation sites require, and generate requests under partners' procedures. In future, it could also take individual needs into account. At the same time, its usefulness depends on how fresh the data is. It is therefore important to set up prompt updating of information on the condition of facilities, available places, and needs for repairs, equipment and resources. We are ready to amend regulations to keep records up to date.

Digitalization of housing policy for IDPs. Law No. 4080-IX provides for a unified information and analytical system for recording real estate that is suitable or potentially suitable for housing internally displaced persons. It is not just a register but a digital tool with an interactive map, electronic accounts and integration with state registers. It will show a real picture of available housing, its condition, restoration needs and capacity to accommodate people, so that decisions, funding plans and management of the IDP housing stock can rest on reliable data.

Legal support. UNHCR will provide a working group with a secretariat to develop secondary legislation under the IDP law and the State Strategy on Internal Displacement, two lawyers for the relevant department, and a coordination expert to launch the Coordination Council on Displacement.

The sides plan to sign a memorandum of understanding and an action plan to implement these proposals.