Addressing the challenges of Ukrainian displaced persons in the Netherlands

At the beginning of the war, displaced persons from Ukraine in the Netherlands were provided with temporary housing at locations. However, the way locations are managed differs significantly from one place to another.

Recognizing the need for more practical solutions to, the OPORA Foundation hosted a Round Table event last week titled "Practical Solutions to Approach Local Disciplinary Measures for Displaced People from Ukraine." The event featured insightful discussions led by OPORA's director, Maria Shaidrova, alongside our colleagues from legal and research departments - Yevheniia Soloviova and Tetiana Kozak.

The primary objective of this round table was to engage leading organizations in the Netherlands working with refugees, addressing the specific challenges faced by displaced Ukrainians at these locations, and brainstorming potential solutions for the future.

During the Round Table, we engaged in meaningful discussions with Emma Wouters from Rode Kruis Nederland, Laura Fisher from fischer advocaten, Derya Koroglu from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland, Maryna Zavhorodnia from Opora Foundation’s Empatia Program and Misha Jans from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Together, we discussed the fact that privacy issues could be resolved at the policy level and brainstormed for the possible solutions to make displaced people life easier:

✔ adapt living locations to better adjust to women and children, which is the most vulnerable group,
✔ provide emotional and informational support for displaced Ukrainians,
✔ make clear and transparent house rules for Ukrainians and location managers,
✔ develop training programs for local managers and mediators on dealing with war-traumatized individuals,
✔ establish specific rules at locations,
✔ ensure access to a formal complaint system.

We are very much grateful to the Rode Kruis, VluchtelingenWerk, UNHCR as well as private initiatives like one from Laura Fisher that are always ready to provide support to displaced persons whose rights have been violated, and for finding the solutions together.