Due to the large-scale invasion launched by Russia in February 2022, 6 million Ukrainians have been forced to leave their country. 6 million people, meaning one in six. In Ukraine, one-sixth of the population has been forced into exile abroad (not counting internally displaced persons). The sufferings endured by these populations are glaring. Although the threat is ongoing, many refugees desire to return home.
In France, 60% of the accommodated families have returned to Ukraine within the first weeks. And currently, we have 300 requests for returns per month. These are torn families, isolated teenagers, elderly people, or often single women, with children to care for, and whose partners are at the front. These people have lost their original homes, which have been destroyed or are in occupied areas. They have lost their jobs; most of the time, they have no resources.
Their social environment no longer exists. They have often lost their loved ones. One can understand how difficult their return to Ukraine is. To address this situation, Ukraine is Europe has created a Reintegration Center for Refugees. This center is located in Dnipro (central Ukraine), a metropolis chosen partly for its economic and social dynamism (one million inhabitants, numerous sectors of activity) and partly because Dnipro is the Ukrainian city with the most refugees. Ukraine is Europe is one of the first international structures to tackle the issue of the return of refugees head-on. Moreover, the difficulties faced by these people are numerous, painful, and complex; they concern all areas of life. Therefore, our program aims to provide them with a comprehensive solution. Our Reintegration Center is designed as a comprehensive facility, which concentrates in one single address:
- assistance in finding housing;
- assistance in returning to employment;
- a psychological and therapeutic unit specialized in the treatment of war victims;
- an administrative space, capable of accompanying applicants in their formalities;
- a legal department, to defend individuals facing potential disputes;
- Ukrainian language courses (useful for Russian-speaking refugees);
- a telephone hotline open 7/7 to answer all questions from Ukraine or abroad.
Our services will be provided by salaried professionals (lawyers, social workers, psychologists, jurists) assisted by international volunteer helpers. All are aware of the urgency faced by refugees. Therefore, this concentration of services aims to provide a “turnkey” solution. Ukraine is Europe decided to construct the Center in 2023. The modernization works of the premises are currently underway (spring 2024), with an opening to the public planned for the summer.
Our Center is located in Dnipro, in a quiet neighborhood, not far from the city center and accessible by public transport. It will have a garden, a children’s area, a veranda, and, ultimately, a popular canteen as well as two emergency apartments. We aim to create a place that is both practical and friendly, efficient and humane. Our various services will be arranged in open spaces to promote communication and mutual aid. The Reintegration Center for Refugees aims to reintegrate up to 2,500 people into Ukrainian society annually.
