International Organization for Migration (IOM): Needs Growing for Over 8 Million Internally Displaced in Ukraine

The official number of people internally displaced by the war in Ukraine has surpassed the 8 million mark, according to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) latest report.

Based on the survey, the report highlights financial support as the overwhelming need among the internally displaced persons (IDPs): two-thirds of those surveyed identified cash assistance as one of their needs, compared to 49% at the beginning of the war. Over 70% expressed that they would utilize cash assistance to cover food and/or medical expenses.

Shelter was another key need identified. Nine per cent of all people surveyed in the latest report, including those not internally displaced, indicated that their homes were damaged or destroyed. Among the internally displaced alone, this figure rose to 27%. Every one out of ten people surveyed said that they would need materials to fix damaged homes.

''The needs of those internally displaced and all affected by the war in Ukraine are growing by the hour," says IOM Director General António Vitorino. "Access to populations in need of aid remains a challenge amid active hostilities, but our teams are committed to continue delivering urgent assistance inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries."

Further highlighting the complexity of mobility within Ukraine, the report revealed that over 2.7 million people have returned home, 93% of whom have returned from another area in their region or from another region within the country.

As the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, more internally displaced Ukrainians are also considering further relocation – more than double the figure from 16 March.

The full text of the report is available here.