Only 1/3 of Ukrainian refugees plan to return

More than 13 million people have left Ukraine since February last year, after the start of the Russian invasion. Five and a half million returned home, but most of those who left remain abroad.

This data was provided by the International Organization for Migration. How Ukrainians live abroad, found out the European Agency for Fundamental Rights, choosing ten European countries for this. Among these countries:

• Hungary, Romania, Poland and Slovakia share a land border with Ukraine;
• The Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany and Spain received more than other Ukrainians who fled the war;
• Estonia has the largest ratio of Ukrainian refugees to the local population.

Already in the first days after the start of the military conflict, the European Union created mechanisms for the reception of Ukrainian migrants. About a third of the more than 14,500 respondents to the agency’s study applied for asylum in the host country, but the vast majority requested only temporary protection.

Regarding long-term plans, the respondents answered:

• 35% would like to return to Ukraine;
• 21% hope to stay in the host country;
• 16% would like to stay but travel to Ukraine regularly;
• 4% plan to move to another country;
• 24% do not know or prefer not to speak.

When asked about everyday life, Ukrainians answer that, despite various assistance programs, most of them, in part or in full, pay for housing. And they admit (79%) that, as a rule, it is difficult for them to make it to the end of the month:

• 38% pay rent and utilities in full;
• 21% pays part of them.

New jobs were found in the host country by 70% of women and 58% of men. 20% of women and 31% of men continue to work or conduct business remotely. This suggests that only every third Ukrainian has a paid job. Respondents cited the following as the reason for this:

• insufficient knowledge of the language of the host country – 51%;
• care for children, elderly or sick relatives – 28%.

Considering that 66% of Ukrainian refugees do not speak or speak poorly the language of the host country, it is surprising that 61% of them do not attend language courses organized in the country.

The European Agency for Fundamental Rights states that it is important for EU governments to take measures to encourage the safe, gradual and unhindered return of displaced persons to Ukraine. The organization’s experts predict that after the end of the conflict, such repatriation will become massive, writes euronews.

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