Summary
The armed conflict in the southern-eastern regions of Ukraine,
Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, has triggered a massive movement of civilians in search of refuge and security to other parts of Ukraine and beyond, into neighbouring Belarus and the Russian Federation, which are now hosting the majority of displaced people from eastern Ukraine. Belarus is a practical choice for Ukrainians due to its location and cultural affinity. The overall number of forced migrants is estimated at more than 150,000 people1. The migrants represent a 1.6 percent addition to the total Belarusian population of 9.3 million people, and that is a substantial burden for a country with one of the lowest GDP per capita in Europe (USD 7,575).
The displaced people from eastern Ukraine who fled to safer areas have been traumatized, and many are struggling to integrate. Despite the welcoming attitude and generosity shown by most local citizens, some negative attitudes were also observed where the displaced people from Ukraine were perceived as people being favoured and as competitors in employment, accommodation, social services, social benefits and humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, not all displaced people are in a position to take up employment. Mothers with young children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and older people are among this vulnerable group and therefore require urgent support with their daily subsistence needs. Persons with chronic diseases fall under a special risk group because health services and medicines are not available for free to foreign citizens in Belarus. Most of the enquiries received through the Belarus RC help line, “201”, are related to temporary accommodation, employment, social benefits, medical assistance, legal advice and psychosocial support.
According to the latest data provided by Belarus Red Cross branches there are at least 5,000 severely vulnerable people from earlier arrivals who require continuous support. These are (1) elderly people without any source of income (pensioners who lost access to their regular pension allowances and saving accounts in Ukraine); (2) disabled persons who do not have access to health care services in Belarus; (3) pregnant women and mothers with small children (without social benefits or income). Some 500 Ukrainian displaced women have already given birth to their children in Belarus.