CONFLICT IN UKRAINE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT AND VETERAN RETURN Summary Report MAY 2017 2017 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 www.worldbank.org Disclaimer: This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations and conclusion expressed in this report do not necessarily constitute the views or formal recommen- dations of the World Bank, Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. 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Cover Design and Text layout: Duina Reyes-Bakovic TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms......................................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................................................................4 1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Conflict in Eastern Ukraine – Development Impacts.......................................................................................................5 1.2. Rationale for Survey Research............................................................................................................................................6 1.3. Research Goals and Areas of Focus..................................................................................................................................7 1.4. Methodology – Track 1 IDPs and Host Communities......................................................................................................7 1.5. Methodology – Track 2 Veterans........................................................................................................................................8 2. Socio-Economic Impacts of Internal Displacement – Findings and Priorities for Development Action....................................................................................................................... 10 2.1. Overview of Key Findings...................................................................................................................................................10 2.2. Profile of Survey Respondents – IDPs and Hosts..............................................................................................................11 2.3. Key Findings ........................................................................................................................................................................12 2.3.1. The displacement situation for IDPs is increasingly static..................................................................................12 2.3.2. There is a convergence of economic circumstances among IDPs and hosts..................................................13 2.3.3. Hosts and IDPs also share common concerns in regard to quality and access to services (particularly health) and the performance and responsiveness of government authorities (national and local)..................................................................................................................................................17 2.3.4. Both populations report little discrimination toward IDPs in accessing services and limited social tensions, though IDPs still perceive barriers to full integration..............................................................21 2.4. Priorities for Action – Addressing the Development Impacts of Displacement...........................................................23 2.4.1. To the Government of Ukraine..............................................................................................................................23 2.4.2. For the Development Community, including the World Bank..........................................................................24 3. Socio-Economic Impacts of Veteran Return – Findings and Priorities for Development Action............................................................................................................................. 25 3.1. Overview of Key Findings...................................................................................................................................................25 3.2. Profile of Survey Respondents – Veterans.........................................................................................................................26 3.3. Key Findings ........................................................................................................................................................................27 3.3.1. Since the outbreak of conflict, there has been an overall increase in unemployment among veterans who contend with various challenges in their transition to civilian employment............................27 3.3.2. Veterans cite limitations of the current provision of both problem-solving counselling and psychosocial support. The overwhelming majority of veterans would like this counselling to be provided by veteran peers...............................................................................................................................30 3.3.3. Gaps in information and in the provision of medical and other social services has a disproportionate impact on older, disabled and unemployed veterans.........................................................31 3.3.4. Veterans’ general assessment of authorities in terms of paying attention to their concerns is low..............34 3.4. Priorities for Action – Addressing the Development Needs of Veterans......................................................................35 3.4.1. To the Government of Ukraine:.............................................................................................................................35 1 3.4.2. To Employers in Ukraine.........................................................................................................................................36 3.4.3. To Development Partners, including the World Bank.........................................................................................37 4. Conclusions.......................................................................................................................................... 38 List of Tables Table 1: Survey research – focus areas by population type...........................................................................................7 Table 2: Overview - quantitative research........................................................................................................................8 Table 3: Focus group discussions – IDPs/host communities..........................................................................................9 Table 4: Areas of geographic concentration for quantitative research........................................................................26 Table 5: Areas of geographic concentration for qualitative research...........................................................................26 List of Figures Figure 1: Survey research nationwide – IDPs, veterans, hosts....................................................................................8 Figure 3: Gender and age of respondents (percentage of IDPs and hosts).............................................................11 Figure 2: Areas of geographic concentration for IDP/host research.........................................................................11 Figure 4: Total number of displacements (as percentage of all IDPs).......................................................................12 Figure 5: IDP return intentions by region......................................................................................................................12 Figure 6: Monthly income per person for hosts and IDPs..........................................................................................14 Figure 7: Average monthly overall social assistance received for IDPs and hosts (percent of overall household expenditures)................................................................................................................................15 Figure 8: Share of household budget allocated to food expenditures (percentage of all IDPs/hosts)................15 Figure 9: Employment status of IDPs and hosts by percent of IDPs/hosts overall...................................................16 Figure 10: Categories of occupation for IDPs and hosts...............................................................................................17 Figure 11: Issues of greatest concern to IDPs and hosts (percentage of all IDPs and hosts)...................................18 Figure 12: State services accessed since displacement (IDPs) or over the last two years (hosts) as a percentage of each respondent group........................................................................................................19 Figure 13: IDP concerns by region..................................................................................................................................19 Figure 14: Host concerns, by region................................................................................................................................20 Figure 15: Performance ratings of levels of government .............................................................................................20 Figure 16: Levels of satisfaction with specified services on a scale of 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied) as a percentage of IDPs/hosts that receive these services........................................................21 Figure 17: Inclusion of IDPs by region (by issue as noted)...........................................................................................23 Figure 18: Geographic location (percent of all respondents)......................................................................................26 Figure 19: Education (percent of all respondents)........................................................................................................26 Figure 20: Duration of military service (percent of all respondents) ..........................................................................27 Figure 21: Employment before and after ATO (percent)..............................................................................................27 Figure 22: Nature of Employment before and after ATO .............................................................................................27 Figure 23: Employment search difficulties (percent of those veterans who think it’s more difficult to find a job for a veteran)................................................................................................................29 Figure 24: Attitude toward psychosocial counselling/psychosocial support for family members (percent of all veterans)..................................................................................................................................30 Figure 25: How do you receive information on health benefits/services available to you as a veteran? Name 3 sources from the most important to the less important (percent of all veterans).....................31 Figure 26: Since demobilization, have you required/received this service?..............................................................32 Figure 27: Challenges in accessing social benefits (percentage of respondents)....................................................33 Figure 28: Do veterans believe that government officials pay attention to their concerns?....................................34 Figure 29: Average rate of government performance (scale of 1 to 5) ......................................................................34 2 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ATO Anti-Terrorist Operation B20 Bottom 20 Percent FGDs Focus Group Discussions GCA Government-Controlled Areas GDP Gross Domestic Product GoU Government of Ukraine IDPs Internally Displaced Persons IT Information Technology KIIS Kyiv International Institute of Sociology MOT Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons NGCA Non-government Controlled Areas NGO Non-governmental Organization PPS Probability Proportional to Size PTSD Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder RPA Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment SME Small and Medium Size Enterprises SADR State Agency of Ukraine for Donbas Recovery SES State Employment Service STP State Target Programme for Recovery of the Eastern Regions of Ukraine UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report presents findings of research car- nally Displaced Persons (MOT) of Ukraine. Lesia ried out by the World Bank and its partners—the Valylenko (Legal Sotnya NGO) provided valuable Cadmus Group, Inc. (Cadmus) and the Kyiv In- data and inputs at various stages of this process ternational Institute of Sociology (KIIS). The core on veterans’ issues. World Bank team included Holly Benner, Se- nior Social Development Specialist/Task Team We thank the internally displaced persons, host Leader; Sergii Grabskyi, Security Specialist; Ray community representatives, and veterans who Salvatore Jennings, Consultant; Klavdiya Maksy- shared their valuable time experiences and rec- menko, Senior Operations Officer/CoTask Team ommendations to inform this research. The re- Leader; Sarah Michael, Program Leader; Hari- search also benefited from consultations with ka Masud, Young Professional; Mariia Nikitova, a variety of national and international partners Consultant; Oleksandra Shatyrko, Project As- as part of survey design and implementation, sistant; and Stavros (Aki) Stavrou, Senior Social including the Center for Social Expertise, Em- Development Specialist. Valuable guidance and bassy of Canada/Ukraine, International Crisis inputs to the team on survey design and analysis Group, International Organization for Migra- were also provided by Caterina Ruggeri Lader- tion, Razumkov Center, REACH, State Service for chi, Senior Economist and Abla Safir, Economist. Veterans, Ukrainian Organization of Veterans, The team is grateful to the Ukraine Country Man- United Kingdom Department for International agement Unit (CMU), including Satu Kahkonen, Development, United Nations Development Pro- Country Director and Ludmilla Butenko, Program gramme, United Nations High Commissioner Leader, for their leadership, guidance, and sup- for Refugees, United Nations Office for the Co- port to the team. ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, United States Agency for International Development/Office of The research also benefited from the guidance Transition Initiatives. The team thanks Warren A. and strategic direction provided by the Ministry Van Wicklin III for editorial support and Duina of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Inter- Reyes-Bakovic for design and text layout. This research was possible through support from the World Bank’s State and Peacebuilding Fund (SPF) and delivered by the World Bank in collaboration with the UK’s Good Governance Fund with funding from the UK Government. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and may not reflect the UK Government’s official position. 4 1. INTRODUCTION The following report presents key findings from re- pressures on Ukraine’s already overstretched social search on the socio-economic impacts of the con- protection systems.  As the crisis continues, these tinuing conflict in eastern Ukraine on internally dis- development deficits have become more pressing, placed persons, veterans, and host communities. with more frequent calls for Government of Ukraine Data was collected from October 2016 through (GoU) outreach and support to eastern populations March 2017 by the World Bank and its partner or- and long-term integration solutions for internally ganizations; the Cadmus Group, Inc. (Cadmus) and displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and host com- the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). munities. The conflict and its impacts also intersect The report is organized into four sections: 1) Intro- with Ukraine’s broader political and economic re- duction, which sets the context for the research and form process that promised sweeping changes provides an overview of the research methodology; following the “Maidan” uprising in 2014. While the 2) Socio-Economic Impacts of Internal Displace- Government has taken many important steps to sta- ment-Findings and Priorities for Development Ac- bilize its earlier political and economic crises, these tion; 3) Socio-Economic Impacts of Veteran Return- steps represent only the start of a long and arduous Findings and Priorities for Development Action; and reform process. 4) Conclusions. Details on the survey methodology, survey questionnaires, and more extensive findings Conflict has paralyzed economic activity in Ukraine’s are provided in supplementary annexes (available eastern industrial heartland. Pre-conflict the Do- on request). netsk and Luhansk regions accounted for almost one-quarter of Ukraine’s industrial activity and an 1.1. Conflict in Eastern Ukraine – equal share of its exports.1 Disruptions in industry, Development Impacts transport and small- and medium- size enterprise activity have led to widespread job loss and a cri- sis of investor confidence has undermined business As the conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its fourth development. Hostilities have led to a decline of year, ongoing violence continues to cast a long Ukraine’s exports and imports due to deteriora- shadow over Ukraine’s overall development pros- tion of trade with Russia and an overall decrease in pects as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions economic activity.2 Real GDP grew modestly by 2.3 of Ukrainians. Over 10,000 individuals have been percent in 2016 after contracting by a cumulative killed, 2.7 million persons displaced, and over 4 million people in the eastern Donbas region of the 16 percent in the previous two years of instability. country have been directly affected by continuing Poverty rates also increased significantly in 2015, hostilities. Severe humanitarian impacts remain, with access to services and livelihoods particularly particularly in non-Government controlled areas impacted in conflict-affected areas. While poverty is and along the ‘contact line’ which separates Govern- estimated to have moderated slightly in 2016, stron- ment-controlled and non-Government controlled ger economic recovery has also been held back, in areas of Ukraine. However, these immediate needs part, due to the continuing conflict in the East.3 are increasingly accompanied by mid-to long-term development challenges as the conflict becomes 1 UN, EU, WB, ‘Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment for protracted. Eastern Ukraine’; March, 2015. 2 Economic Connectivity of Trade in Ukraine, Swiss Confed- Continued insecurity has interrupted industry and eration, 2016. 3 World Bank, ‘Macro Economic Update for Ukraine,’ April led to job loss, impacted service delivery, infrastruc- 2017. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ukraine/publica- ture and urban development, and put additional tion/economicupdatespring2017 5 Of the over 1.7 million internally displaced, more and veterans’ challenges in addition to the chronic than half of IDPs have stayed in Donetsk and Lu- issues facing host communities that are impacted by hansk regions in the eastern Donbas near the con- the conflict. flict zone, however, IDPs have also settled through- out the country in search of security and opportunity. 1.2. Rationale for Survey Nearly 60 percent of registered IDPs are pensioners, 60 percent are women, 13 percent are children and Research 4 percent are disabled. While the Government of Ukraine (GoU) and international partners have tak- In order to design effective and targeted conflict-re- en steps to protect and support conflict-affected covery programming, robust data is needed on the populations by adopting relevant legislation and development impacts of the crisis. At the GoU’s re- allocating available resources, the overall economic quest, the World Bank, United Nations, and Europe- situation and the increasingly protracted nature of an Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding ongoing hostilities means IDPs and host communi- Assessment (RPA) for Eastern Ukraine that was en- ties are confronting growing socio-economic pres- dorsed by the GoU in August 2015. The RPA pro- sures. vided a joint assessment of initial needs in the areas of: (i) critical infrastructure and social services; (ii) Increasing numbers of Ukrainians (enlisted, con- economic recovery; and (iii) social resilience, peace- scripted, volunteers) returning home from mili- building, and community security. The Assessment tary service also face challenges in reintegrating represented a snapshot in time, and did not include back into their communities. As of April 2017, over primary or survey research. Many Ukrainian re- 300,000 veterans have been demobilized after serv- searchers and international partners have also col- ing in eastern Ukraine. An estimated 10,000 volun- lected a range of valuable data on the status and teers have also taken part in the conflict.4 Further- needs of IDPs and conflict-affected communities.6 more, it is projected that up to 30,000 individuals In order to build on, complement, and leverage ex- per year will continue to join the ranks of veterans isting research, this study identified the following if the conflict continues.5 Many veterans have trou- key gaps: ble acclimating to civilian life, including experienc- ing post-traumatic stress disorders and other health hh Most recent data was focused around humani- challenges. The overall contraction of Ukraine’s tarian needs rather than information that would economy means that jobs and livelihood opportu- be useful in development planning. nities are even more limited for veterans and former fighters often face barriers in receiving the benefits hh Available data that could be used for develop- for which they are eligible. ment planning purposes often derived from small samples, had limited geographic scope As displacement and conflict-related pressures or was not sufficiently disaggregated or repre- mount, there is a need to build the resilience of sentative to permit analysis of effects among di- communities to cope in the mid-to longer-term. verse conflict-affected populations. The GoU established in 2015 the State Agency of hh There were limited studies that took a national Ukraine for Donbas Recovery (SADR), which was el- perspective—including the impacts of the con- evated in April 2016 to a new Ministry for Tempo- flict on IDPs, veterans, and host communities rarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons (MOT). MOT has been charged with devel- oping a State Target Programme for Recovery of the Eastern Regions of Ukraine (STP). The STP represents 6 IOM National Monitoring System (NMS); REACH Inter- Agency Vulnerability Assessment of ConflictAffected Com- a Governmentled strategy and financing approach munities in GCA of Donetsk and Luhansk; UNHCR Ukrainians’ for recovery and peacebuilding activities, including Attitude toward Internally Displaced Persons from Donbas priorities for international support and investments and Crimea; Council of Europe Enhancing Legal in Ukraine for Rights of IDPs; EU Study on Mental Disorders and Access in recovery programs that focus on displacement to Services among IDPs; Global Affairs Canada – Assistance to Conflict Affected Population Report; ILO Employment Needs Assessment of IDPs; UNHCR/ Crimea SOS Monitoring Report on Relationship between Host Communities and IDPs; UN 4 Data from Legal 100, a nongovernmental organization in OHCHR/ East SOS Freedom of Movement in Eastern Ukraine; Ukraine focused on veterans’ issues and a Cadmus partner in UNICEF Out of School Children in Ukraine; USAID UMedia WB survey research on veterans. Project; European Research Association IP and host communi- 5 Projections from survey consultations with veterans’ orga- ty. This represents a partial list of the many existing studies on nizations. conflictaffected populations in Ukraine. 6 throughout Ukraine (not just in the East). on the experience of veterans and veterans’ fami- lies. A combination of secondary desktop data, ex- hh Often studies focused only on IDP populations tensive consultations, and primary quantitative and rather than the impact of conflict on both IDPs qualitative methods were used to explore a series and host communities. of socio-economic conditions across surveyed pop- hh There was no significant research nor empirical ulations. This included common areas of research data on veterans’ issues in Ukraine, particularly focus across populations sampled, as well as some on socio-economic status, reintegration chal- targeted questions by population type (see table 1 lenges and service needs. below). The research also focused on capturing Ukraine- 1.3. Research Goals and Areas wide results and trends with sampling techniques of Focus that weighted surveys toward areas of Ukraine with the greatest concentrations of IDPs and veterans, To fill these identified gaps and build on earlier but also ensuring representation of oblasts neigh- studies, the World Bank together with its partners— boring the conflict zone, central Ukraine, Kyiv and the Cadmus Group, Inc. and the Kyiv International the west of the country. Due to restrictions on the Institute of Sociology—carried out research from Oc- World Bank’s areas of operations, research was lim- tober 2016 through March 2017 focused on the so- ited to the government-controlled areas of Ukraine. cio-economic impacts of displacement and veteran See figure 1 for an overview of the geographic return. spread of survey research. 1.4. Methodology – Track 1 IDPs Research Goal: Generate data on socio-eco- nomic impacts of the conflict throughout and Host Communities Ukraine to strengthen the evidence base for the GoU and international partners to better iden- Survey research on IDPs and host communities in- tify, design, and implement development poli- cluded a combination of quantitative and qualita- cies and programming. tive methods, including a survey of 2,004 IDPs and 2,021 hosts and 20 focus group discussions. The IDP quantitative sample was drawn proportional to In recognition of the scope of the challenge and the number of officially registered IDPs in a given the diversity of populations to be sampled, a ‘two- geographic area based on data from the Ministry track’ approach was taken. Track 1 focused on IDPs of Social Policy. A stratified and multi-stage sample and host communities and track 2 research focused design ensured reliable estimates of the survey in- dicators, including the TABLE 1: SURVEY RESEARCH – FOCUS AREAS BY POPULATION TYPE whole country, urban (italicized areas of inquiry tailored to specific concerns of target population) and regional areas, and rayons by distance IDPS HOST COMMUNITIES VETERANS from the conflict zone (Donbas, neighboring -- Household data -- Household data -- Household data eastern oblasts, Kyiv -- Poverty/welfare status -- Poverty/welfare status -- Poverty/welfare status and ‘other’ oblasts). -- Employment and eco- -- Employment and eco- -- Employment and eco- The IDP survey utilized nomic prospects nomic prospects nomic prospects a time-location sample -- Development concerns -- Development concerns -- Access to benefits and -- Access/quality of hous- -- Access/quality of hous- services and snowball tech- ing and services ing and services -- Inclusion and account- nique, recognizing -- Inclusion and account- -- Inclusion and account- able governance the challenges in sam- able governance able governance -- Length of service pling displaced popu- -- Displacement duration -- Demobilization status lations. Each interview -- Registration status -- Post-traumatic stress and was conducted face- -- Return intentions psycho-social challenges to-face and the data -- Return/reintegration to entered digitally into communities tablets for geocoding. 7 FIGURE 1: SURVEY RESEARCH NATIONWIDE – IDPS, VETERANS, HOSTS Percentage of interviews – IDPs/hosts Interviews conducted - Veterans * Survey research was not conducted in areas in grey due to access challenges Source: Image (map) by Sven Teschke, Germany; Terms of Use: GNU Free Documentation License 1.2; adapted by Kyiv International Institute for Sociology The host community sample of 2,021 individuals was Track 1 also included qualitative research in the form also weighted to consider the areas where the larg- of focus groups discussions (FGDs) across Ukraine est populations of IDPs reside, based on GoU-pro- (see table 3). Twenty focus groups were held with vided data. Urban settlements and regional districts mixed demographics and geographies, to obtain were selected using the Probability Proportional to a diverse cross section of respondents and explore Size (PPS) technique, based on the number of dis- quantitative survey findings in further depth. placed individuals registered in the district. At the second stage, voting precincts were selected ran- 1.5. Methodology – Track 2 domly and systematic selection of households (ev- ery third household) was then applied in the third Veterans and final stage. Respondents were either heads of their households or were most informed deci- The veterans’ track of the research consisted of two sion-makers and interviews were conducted with a components: a quantitative survey and in-depth in- digital tablet for geocoding. terviews. In the first component, 317 surveys were conducted amongst veterans of military operations Among the sample of respondents, the research in eastern Ukraine using personal interviews. Sur- sought to target specific subgroups that may be veys were conducted in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, uniquely impacted by the conflict, including: 1) Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and the Lviv region (the towns women (heads of household); 2) returnees (hosts of Yavoriv and Novoyavorivsk). The study partici- who were former IDPs that had returned to their pants were recruited with the help of the Ukrainian communities of origin); and 3) pensioners. non-governmental organization (NGO) Legal Hun- dred and its network of partner veteran organiza- TABLE 2: OVERVIEW - QUANTITATIVE tions and associations. RESEARCH For each region, a quota target was created that in- IDPS HOSTS cluded the total size of the sample, as well as the de- sired number of interviews with the following sub- Sample of 2,004 IDPs Sample of 2,021 hosts categories: female veterans, veterans with physical Sample is proportional to the number of officially disabilities, and veterans from rural areas. The sam- registered IDPs ple was not random since the research team could only reach respondents through local organizations TLS and Snowball District/rayon/precinct/ and/or their networks. Therefore, it can be conclud- Technique address (third household) ed that respondents to this survey are relatively well integrated, at least within the veteran community Personal interview with tablet (they have networks, are aware of or participate with Head of household (or most informed) organizations that support veterans, etc.). 8 TABLE 3: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS – IDPS/HOST COMMUNITIES TYPE GENDER AGE EMPLOYMENT LOCATION IDP Mixed 20-60 Currently employed Kharkiv IDP Mixed 20-60 Currently employed Chuguiv Host Mixed 20-60 Currently employed Kharkiv Host Mixed 20-60 Currently employed Chuguiv IDP Mixed 20-60 Self-employed Kyiv IDP Mixed 20-60 Self-employed Severodonetsk IDP Mixed 20-60 Unemployed Odessa IDP Mixed 20-60 Unemployed Belgorod-Dnistrovsk Host Mixed 20-60 Unemployed Odessa Host Mixed 20-60 Unemployed Belgorod-Dnistrovsk IDP Women 30-50 Varied Zaporizhzhia IDP Women 30-50 Varied Melitopol Host Women 30-50 Varied Zaporizhzhia Host Women 30-50 Varied Melitopol IDP Mixed 18-24 Students Kyiv IDP Mixed 18-24 Students Severodonetsk IDP Mixed 60+ Recipients-pensions Lviv IDP Mixed 60+ Recipients-pensions Severodonetsk Returnees Mixed 21-39 Mixed Severodonetsk Returnees Mixed 40-65 Mixed Severodonetsk Recognizing the potential sensitivities and limita- greater depth. Participants responded to questions tions of focus group discussion (FGDs), the second regarding their place of residence, education, vol- portion of the veterans’ research involved in-depth, untary or forced (enlistment) entry into service, dis- qualitative interviews with 40 individual veterans, ability, and experience of receiving psychological family members, and/or representatives of veter- help. The interviews were held in Kyiv, Berdychiv, an organization to explore the survey findings in Severodonetsk, Novoyavorivsk, Lviv, and Dnipro. 9 2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT – FINDINGS AND PRIORITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT ACTION 2.1. Overview of Key Findings Three years since the outbreak of conflict, the situa- to be unemployed, less likely to find a permanent job, tion of internally displaced in Ukraine is increasingly and when they start businesses of their own as an in- static. As IDPs approach three years of forced displace- come-generating strategy, many find general economic ment, most have moved infrequently from their place of decline has reduced their client base. Moreover, large first refuge. Over half have not returned to their home numbers of IDPs experience a mismatch of their skill- areas since becoming displaced and only 15 percent of sets with labor markets in host communities. Women IDPs claim to visit home areas on a regular basis. Over- IDPs face particular difficulties balancing family respon- all, a quarter of IDPs have no intention to return. Anoth- sibilities and childcare with their desire for employment er quarter are prepared to return when conditions are and income. right and half of IDPs express uncertainty about return- Hosts and IDPs share negative perceptions regard- ing home at all. Those IDPs that do not intend to return ing access to services (particularly health) and the or are ambivalent frequently describe their home areas performance and responsiveness of government as “ruined.” The primary condition for any return is an authorities (national and local). Both IDPs and hosts end to the conflict, yet the overwhelming majority of express low levels of satisfaction with public services in IDPs see no end in sight to the violence in the east. general and with the cost and poor quality of health care Among the most striking features of the research is provision, in particular. Overall, IDPs in Kharkiv, Zapor- the convergence of the economic well-being of IDPs izhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk have the highest levels of and hosts. Hosts cite a rise in prices and communal tar- concern over social service delivery, their financial sta- iffs while IDPs reference rent, utilities and an inability to tus, and discrimination. Important exceptions are new find permanent, well-paying employment as causes for administrative service centers that receive high marks anxiety and economic concern. IDPs piece together an by IDPs and host alike. IDPs and hosts share remarkably average household monthly income of 3813 UAH typ- common anxieties over the future and similar crises of ically composed of salaries, pensions, and social pay- confidence in government institutions. ments, with incomes rising as distance increases from the line of contact. Salaries and pensions make up the Both populations report little discrimination in ac- majority of income for hosts, averaging 4752 UAH per cessing services and limited social tensions between household each month. IDPs and hosts in most areas. IDPs and hosts generally regard the other with feelings that range from neutrality Non-displaced populations have lost more ground, to appreciation for their common hardships. Relatively essentially bringing them closer to the socio-eco- few IDPs or hosts express hostility or cite systemic dis- nomic “level” of IDPs. While host households are crimination based on residency status. Key exceptions slightly better off than IDP households, resident pop- are unemployed IDPs and pensioners that appear to ulations maintain that their economic status has dete- be more socially isolated. Despite improvements in so- riorated in the last twelve months whereas IDPs have cial relations, IDPs maintain they rarely feel “at home” in endured chronic and consistent fragility since their dis- their locations. They cite being unable to own a home placement. and find permanent employment as factors in their Yet IDP populations are less resilient and face more alienation. Moreover, an inability to vote in local elec- uncertainty in securing permanent employment, tions and limitations on their rights as citizens also con- housing, and accessing services. They are more likely tribute to a sense of marginalization. 10 2.2. Profile of Survey FIGURE 2: AREAS OF GEOGRAPHIC Respondents – IDPs and CONCENTRATION FOR IDP/HOST RESEARCH Hosts As explained in the methodology section, data was collected and then collated by region. The majority of interviews took place in the Donbas (37 percent of IDPs and hosts); the three neighboring oblasts (21 percent); Kyiv city and Kyiv oblast (20 percent); and in remaining ar- “We ran there in our eas of the country (22 underwear and slippers. percent). More than Because I live right next to the a half of the respon- airport, next to the old terminal dents were residents in Donetsk. I don’t remember of cities with a popu- how we ran at all. It was just lation of over 50,000 a shock; the most important * Survey research was not conducted in areas in grey due to access challenges people. thing was to grab the children.” (IDP, Zaporizhzhia) The majority of IDP Source: Image (map) by Sven Teschke, Germany; Terms of Use: GNU Free Documentation License 1.2; adapted by Kyiv International Institute for Sociology “In our area, the shelling survey respondents started as well, and the military lived in areas east of boarded us on a train. And displacement after leaving their homes. Departure the “contact line” pri- here, we called and some from home areas was often rushed in many cases, or to displacement. people of faith told us that taking place on short notice and with few posses- Before their displace- there is this resort in Odessa sions. As IDPs approach three years of forced dis- ment, 88 percent of region. It was temporary placement, most have moved infrequently from for the summer, everybody the IDPs that took their place of first refuge. thought. Nobody expected it part in this research and we came here without our lived in NGCAs of Among IDPs selected for this survey, nearly three possessions. We came as we Ukraine. Another 9 quarters currently live in larger towns (population > were, with my son.” percent resided in 50,000) or large cities. Respondents were predom- (IDP, Odessa) conflict-affected ar- inantly women (as were host participants), yet IDPs eas in GCAs. Three were younger (with more participants 18-45 years of percent of IDPs originated from Crimea. Whereas age) than the host population that took part in the all IDPs from eastern Ukraine cited physical security research. More IDP respondents completed higher as the primary driver of their displacement, nearly education than hosts as well. When comparing IDP all IDPs from Crimea cited differences over political and host respondents from the same age groups, orientation as the reason they left their home areas. IDPs are, in general, more educated than hosts, but have a lower level of employment. For both IDPs and Over three quarters of the IDPs in Ukraine were dis- hosts, the average household size is 2.5 persons. placed in 2014 and are now enduring protracted FIGURE 3: GENDER AND AGE OF RESPONDENTS (PERCENTAGE OF IDPS AND HOSTS) Gender Age Male Female 18-29 30-45 46-59 60+ 18% 32% 21% 70% 66% 26% 41% 30% 30% 34% 20% 13% IDPs Hosts IDPs Hosts 11 Over 95 percent of IDPs report being registered; FIGURE 4: TOTAL NUMBER OF one focus group member captured the sentiments DISPLACEMENTS (AS PERCENTAGE OF of many others when she stated, “Without that, we ALL IDPS) are nobody here.” The small percentage of IDPs that are not registered claim they were ineligible, uninformed, not in need of assistance, or fearful of 13% 2% government intrusion in their lives. Overall, 78 per- cent of IDPs indicate they left no members of their household behind in NGCAs yet most maintain that 1 displacement they have relatives that are still in home areas and 2 displacements who have not left due to age; bad health or diffi- culty moving; fear of unemployment; fear of leaving 3+ displacements property unattended; or fear of leaving their busi- nesses. 85% IDPs had differing reasons for why they chose to move to their displacement locations. Most respon- dents in rural areas away from the Donbas suggest that the key factor for choosing a place of refuge was the presence of family and friends. Having relatives FIGURE 5: IDP RETURN INTENTIONS BY and friends in a new location gave IDPs some flexi- REGION bility in their length of stay, the ability to put off ne- gotiating a lease, deferring rent or utility payments or contending with other burdens associated with Donbas Neighboring oblasts Kyiv & Kyiv oblast Other oblasts independent housing. However, more IDPs in ur- ban areas (>50,000) were pulled there in search of 57% employment than to be near relatives. Respondents that settled in the Donbas and regions nearer the 42% 45% conflict were more influenced by proximity to home 34% areas than either family or employment. Other less 28% influential factors impacting settlement patterns in- 22% 24% clude available housing and a desire to be far away from conflict-affected areas of the country. 10% 2.3. Key Findings At some point As soon as possible 2.3.1. Key Finding – The displacement situation for IDPs is increasingly static. Half of IDP respondents have not visited their home As IDPs approach three years of forced displace- areas since their initial displacement. Another quar- ment, most have moved infrequently from their ter of IDPs reported visiting once a year or less; place of first refuge, over half have not returned to 15 percent visited 2 to 3 times a year; and only 7 their home areas since becoming displaced and few percent of respondents indicated that they visited claim to visit home areas on a regular basis. more frequently. IDPs who left areas that are now back under government control indicate that they Once IDPs were settled in places of first refuge, the visit their original homes more often with 29 percent majority did not move very often: 85 percent of returning once per year or less frequently, 16 per- respondents have changed their living place only cent returning several times a year, and 20 percent once. Only 13 percent of IDPs surveyed changed returning more frequently. Nearly all IDPs indicate their location twice, and 2 percent changed three that visits to home areas in NGCAs and GCAs are 30 and more times. The chance to be with family and days or less in duration. friends, the opportunity to find a job, and the qual- ity of the living space and seasonal considerations The primary reasons IDPs travel to home areas are to were the most important factors for those IDPs that look after property and to visit relatives and friends. relocated several times. At times, this entailed bringing medicine or neces- 12 sities to relatives, settling business-related issues, For many IDPs, re- “Home does not exist. ...In our selling property, or collecting documentation. Yet turn is a distant and memories, it is the same, but the visits are typically short. “We cannot bear to stay distasteful prospect. you understand that people longer,” said one focus group participant and many Focus group partic- are totally different there, more complained that crossing the line of contact ipants cite “being thoughts are different, life was the biggest impediment to frequent visits. Sur- viewed as an enemy is different, the situation is vey and focus groups respondents cite long lines, there,” and “having different.” (Kharkiv, IDP) the expense of travel, corruption at checkpoints, nowhere to go back ‘The more time goes by, the and humiliating treatment during the crossing as to.” They describe more I don’t want to (return), factors discouraging visits. home areas as “ru- that’s how you could put it.” ined” and maintain (Kyiv, lOP) While issues like these limit visits, other factors ap- “normal life is impos- pear to defer return. Security remains the overrid- sible there.” Yet, in “If I see that some conditions ing deterrent, followed by the political orientation their current place of are created there. ...That it’s of authorities in NGCAs, social tensions with fami- residence it remains possible not just to live, but to ly, and poor employment prospects in home areas. difficult to fully inte- work. ... To do something (I will Overall, nearly 75 percent of IDPs either do not want grate, advance eco- return then). (Kyiv, IDP) to return home, or remain uncertain of their inten- nomically, or to re- tions compared to over 80 percent that intended to main hopeful about the future. return in surveys that took place in July 2015 and 43 percent that stated they wished to return in March 2.3.2. Key Finding – There is a convergence of 2016.7 Just over a quarter of IDPs fear that they may economic circumstances among IDPs and be forced to return due to economic hardship (in- cluding eviction) or to care for relatives remaining hosts. in NGCAs. Among the most striking features of the research is Regional differences can be found in the return in- the convergence of IDP and hosts perceptions of tentions of IDPs, however. Overall, more educated, their economic well-being: 68 percent of IDPs re- highly skilled, and younger IDPs are less inclined port that after suffering a dramatic decline in living to return, while those closer to the line of contact standards after displacement, their subsequent eco- and NGCAs are more intent on return. IDPs in the nomic situation has remained fragile and generally Donbas are also more likely to express greater dis- unchanged. In contrast, 75 percent of hosts report comfort being away from home areas and to experi- marked declines in their economic situation in the ence financial distress, including difficulty in finding last twelve months. As such, non-displaced popu- employment. Overall, however, the trends over the lations have lost more ground, essentially bringing last three years illustrate declining intent to return them closer to the socio-economic “level” of IDPs. across all demographic categories of IDPs, signal- This decline in fortunes has contributed to increas- ing a loss of confidence in near-term peaceful res- ing pessimism, with twice as many hosts than IDPs olution to the conflict and the viability of return to believing that their economic situation will worsen home areas. over the next year. IDPs, for all the challenges they face, are more inclined to anticipate their econom- IDPs in Ukraine are a population caught between an ic situation staying the same or improving over the inability to fully adapt to life in displacement and de- next twelve months; even though the data suggest clining hopes for successful return to their homes. they remain far less resilient to economic shocks than hosts. IDPs are more reliant on social assistance and more 7 See, for instance, the high percentage of IDPs intending to return home ranging from 97 percent among IDPs in Kharkiv likely to have trouble securing permanent employ- to 56 percent among IDPs in Donetsk. REACH, “Shelter and NFI ment. The most common sources of income in IDP Needs Assessment: Ukraine” August 2015. p. 18; also see IOM, households are social payments, salaries, pensions, Displacement Tracking Matrix data from March 2016 (Round 1 – March 2016) that placed the number of individuals intending humanitarian aid and financial assistance from rela- to return to their place of residence at 43.7 percent. As of April tives and friends. One IDP in six earns income from 2017, the number that were certain they wished to return fell to casual, often intermittent and nontaxable employ- 25 percent in the current research (allowing for methodological differences in how intention questions were formatted), with ment. Indeed, the lack of permanent, “reliable” em- increasing numbers of IDPs now uncertain of their intentions. ployment is cited as a significant stress for IDPs in 13 FIGURE 6: MONTHLY INCOME PER PERSON percent of hosts) and attempting to procure allow- FOR HOSTS AND IDPS ances or subsidies ranks second (54 percent of IDPs and 60 percent of hosts). Other common practices Hosts IDPs include spending savings, borrowing money, selling personal items or property, and postponing rent or 0-500 UAH 1% 11% utility payments. Yet, IDPs worry far more than hosts about losing their accommodation. Among hosts, 501-1000 UAH 9% 15% the majority (77 percent) believe that they are finan- cially stable enough to continue living in the same 1001-1500 UAH 32% 24% home during the next 12 months. Less than half of 1501-2000 UAH 21% 15% IDPs feel financially secure enough to anticipate liv- ing in their current accommodation over the next 2001-2500 UAH 14% 16% year, despite programs aimed at helping IDPs se- cure shelter. 2501-3000 UAH 10% 8% In addition, host community residents have more 3001-4000 UAH 5% 5% property at their disposal than IDPs and are better 4001-5000 UAH 4% 4% able to withstand unexpected demands by resort- ing to selling their assets. Over 72 percent of hosts 5001-6000 UAH 1% 1% have large household items in their possession, 69 percent own an apartment, 33 percent own a house 6001-8000 UAH 2% 1% or a summer house, 25 percent possess crops for gardening or agricultural purposes, 22 percent own the land, and 17 percent own small animals. 8000+ UAH 1% 0% Conversely, only 33 percent of IDPs possess large survey research. Moreover, social assistance infre- household items, 27 percent own an apartment, quently totals more than 1000 UAH per month and and 12 percent own a home or a summer home. salaries are the main source of income for nearly half Households headed by men have higher incomes of IDPs followed by than ones headed by women, across all age groups social assistance and and for both IDPs and hosts. “Communal utility fees have been raised, the wage has pensions. Compar- Both hosts and IDPs complain about common ex- dropped even lower, tax rates atively, hosts receive penditures being too high, especially food, utilities have increased; financially, less social assistance and health care. Poorer IDPs (bottom 20 percent it is very difficult, prices in and rely more on sal- or “B20”) spend far more than B20 hosts on food, the store have spiked, it is aries and pensions. impossible to buy anything. for example. In addition, more than half of IDPs (53 Now I have debts. Prices The average month- percent) pay rent and report this as their greatest have grown, and, naturally, it ly income of an IDP and most burdensome expense. Additionally, an av- was a blow to our budget.” household is 3813 erage of 66 percent of household expenditures are (host, Odessa) UAH, while the av- covered by social transfers for B20 IDPs and these “The wage now includes the erage for host com- transfers, along with unconventional sources (e.g., army fee, one more tax, one munity households remittances), are often the largest share of income more expense.” is 4752 UAH, with re- for IDPs versus pensions for the poorest hosts. (host, Zaporhizhia) gional variations. As “Men have left for the Anti- their economic status The average income of IDP households is some- Terrorist Operation. And converges, however, what higher in oblasts located farther away from women are now like draft IDP and host strate- the conflict zone and the level of social assistance horses, they are both here gies for overcoming and humanitarian aid as a percentage of income and there, both at a focus economic hardships also declines with distance from the Donbas. Re- group and at work. And then have also become gional trends for hosts are somewhat different from there’s some other additional similar. Both groups those of IDPs with incomes for hosts highest in Kyiv work, because you have to pull all that.” deny purchasing es- and the level of social benefits as a percentage of (host, Kyiv) sential items (67 per- income peaking in the three eastern oblasts neigh- cent of IDPs and 73 boring the Donbas. 14 FIGURE 7: AVERAGE MONTHLY OVERALL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FOR IDPS AND HOSTS (PERCENT OF OVERALL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURES) IDPs Hosts Richest 27% Richest 19% 9 34% 9 21% 8 37% 8 18% 7 40% 7 30% 6 44% 6 20% 5 48% 5 31% 4 55% 4 31% 3 56% 3 42% 2 63% 2 33% Poorest 69% Poorest 26% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Social assistance Social assistance FIGURE 8: SHARE OF HOUSEHOLD BUDGET In Kyiv and Kyiv oblast, both IDP and host respon- ALLOCATED TO FOOD EXPENDITURES dents more often list salaries as a source of income. (PERCENTAGE OF ALL IDPS/HOSTS) In the Donbas, pensions are a greater source of in- come. This may be due to the increased numbers of 43% older residents and IDPs in the Donbas with large Richest 46% numbers of youth (<35 years of age) having left for urban areas further west. IDPs from territories locat- 49% 9 51% ed near the conflict zone more often mention receiv- ing humanitarian aid and having access to reserves 50% of food and other essentials. Local populations in 8 52% Donbas are also more likely to report subsistence farming as a source of income. 53% 7 53% Comparative Employment Figures 55% 6 Compared to other displacement crises, Ukraine’s 57% IDPs have managed to attain impressive rates of 57% employment in a moribund and conflict-affected 5 60% economy. Most working IDPs have also secured em- ployment in many of the same professional fields 4 61% that capitalize on their pre-displacement skill sets. 61% However, many of these jobs are not considered 61% permanent and there is still a large unemployed 3 62% and under-employed cohort of working age IDPs. 2 55% Overall, employment levels within IDP and host 63% communities are similar but there are differences between both populations when assessing employ- 57% Poorest 70% ment at different income levels. Taken together, 41 percent of IDPs and 44 percent of hosts are current- 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% ly employed. The unemployment rate is 17 percent Hosts IDPs among IDPs and 7 percent among hosts. However, as many as 57 percent of B20 IDPs are unemployed 15 FIGURE 9: EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF IDPS AND HOSTS BY PERCENT OF IDPS/HOSTS OVERALL IDPs Hosts 100% 100% 90% 22% 18% 90% 26% 80% 80% 39% 50% 46% 70% 70% 60% 30% 60% 51% 57% 15% 50% 50% 40% 40% 20% 22% 30% 30% 43% 46% 20% 20% 28% 30% 31% 26% 10% 10% 0% 0% T60 B40 B20 T60 B40 B20 Employed Unemployed Pensioner compared to 22 percent among hosts. The differ- placement, the employment rate of IDPs dropped ence is also notable, although not as dramatic, when to 41 percent with only 78 percent being engaged comparing employment figures. Twenty-six percent in permanent employment. Moreover, fewer IDPs of poor IDPs are employed compared to 31 percent hold full time jobs (84 percent compared with 90 among hosts. IDPs have also experienced a de- percent prior to displacement) and the number of crease in income compared with pre-displacement IDPs that identify as working on a temporary basis employment. Many working IDPs have reentered has risen from 4 percent prior to displacement to 12 the same fields and professions, yet permanent and percent during displacement. Overall, employment fulltime employment is more elusive and less lucra- has become more tenuous and temporary for IDPs tive than it was in the than it was before displacement. past. “Now people don’t have much The reasons IDPs cite for difficulties in finding more choice about what job is better Stress due to not hav- predictable and permanent employment are the or what is worse. They need ing enough work or shortage of jobs (layoffs, closure of enterprises due income to live.” (IDP, Chuhuiv) income is more com- to the economic crisis, the seasonal nature of some “When the heating season mon among IDPs employment), as well as low wages, poor terms, and started, the flow of clients fell than hosts, in part exploitative working conditions. Many respondents sharply.” (IDP, Kyiv) due to the more un- also note that it is difficult to find a high paying job predictable and less without connections, something IDPs generally lack “Jobs are inherited here, permanent nature of in their new place of residence. Several IDPs in fo- it is explicit. ...Good jobs are, 100%.” (IDP, Bilhorod- the employment ex- cus groups also complain of discrimination against Dnistrovskyi) perience for IDPs. Pri- Donbas residents in hiring practices (certain good or to displacement, paying jobs are described as “hereditary”). Wom- “Well, you have to work more 47 percent of IDPs en’s employment is limited by their family respon- here. Here you have to do were working and 42 sibilities. Women IDPs in focus groups suggest that three to four times more to percent report be- childcare that was once provided by relatives in have at least the same income ing unemployed (in- NGCAs was no longer available. Other women par- I had in Luhansk. I would make cluding pensioners). ticipants mention that employers prefer hiring men four times more money there for the same work. And here, Of those that were to women since women may take maternity leave you work more, but for the working before dis- and are perceived as taking sick leave more often. same money.” placement, 91 per- Nearly half of unemployed IDPs (48 percent) and 22 (IDP, Severodonetsk) cent had permanent percent of unemployed hosts are actively seeking employment. In dis- employment. 16 FIGURE 10: CATEGORIES OF OCCUPATION FOR IDPS AND HOSTS work in a new field. Like- wise, almost half of skilled craft workers also indicate Hosts IDPs that they changed their field of employment. These Managers 11% 13% shifts are explained as be- Professionals 15% 24% ing necessary due to low- er demand for these skills Technicians and associate 11% 12% with the closure of heavy professionals industry facilities in the east Clerical support workers 5% 6% of the country and associ- Service and sales workers 19% 20% ated value chain impacts. Of those that are working, Skilled agricultural, 1% 0% 27 percent are dissatisfied forestry and fishery workers Craft and related trades workers 15% 9% with the conditions and income-generating poten- Plant and machine operators, 8% 5% tial of their position. Most and assemblers including drivers) maintain they need addi- Elementary occupations 7% 7% tional training or employ- Armed forces occupations 0% ment alternatives to survive 1% economically or to advance DIFFICULT TO SAY, REFUSE 7% 5% their careers. Among IDPs that are unemployed but seeking work, a mismatch Poor employment prospects have also impacted of their skills (e.g., refinery operations, machine fab- the host community, but to a lesser degree. There rication, and chemical engineering) poses barriers has been far less volatility in hosts’ employment ex- to new and viable employment. Together, the un- perience in the last 36 months when compared to deremployed and unemployed constitute as much IDPs. Of the 7 percent that report as unemployed, as 35 percent of working age IDPs. As the displace- three-quarters have not worked for three to five ment crisis lengthens and the likelihood of local years. Fewer than two percent of the total number integration and non-return increases, this sizeable of unemployed hosts were forced to resign due to population should not be overlooked. economic reasons, including industrial closure or staffing reductions. 2.3.3. Key Finding - Hosts and IDPs also share common concerns in regard to quality Among the 41 percent of IDPs that are employed, and access to services (particularly health) nearly 70 percent work in areas that match their skill set. Most individuals (56 percent) are working in the and the performance and responsiveness of same fields, inclusive of education (78 percent), sales government authorities (national and local). and repair of motor vehicles (63 percent), construc- tion (65 percent), and health services (74 percent). Both IDPs and hosts express low levels of satisfaction IDPs also typically work in the same professions, in- with public services in general and with the cost and cluding machine fabrication, technical specialists, poor quality of health care provision, in particular. and sales and service workers (70 percent). IDPs that Overall, IDPs in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dniprop- were self-employed prior to displacement typically etrovsk have the highest levels of concern over so- continue to work independently in displacement. cial service delivery, their economic conditions, and However, many complain of a decrease in the num- discrimination based on their residency status. They ber of clients and income compared to their experi- are also the most pessimistic concerning their own ence prior to displacement. economic prospects, resolution of the conflict, and the future of Ukraine. IDPs and hosts share remark- At the same time, those IDPs who worked in cer- ably common anxieties over the future and similar tain industries in eastern Ukraine find it difficult to crises of confidence in government institutions. The locate similar work; over half of IDPs that worked in primary complaints by both IDPs and hosts are that the refinery industry indicate that they had to seek government officials do not understand them, are 17 FIGURE 11: ISSUES OF GREATEST CONCERN TO IDPS AND HOSTS (PERCENTAGE OF ALL IDPS AND HOSTS) Hosts IDPs Housing 22% 61% Health care 47% 45% Buying the necessities 35% 39% Social benefits 12% 29% Employment 14% 28% Psychological well - being 8% 16% Education 11% 13% Child care 8% 11% Transportation 6% 8% Leisure activities 7% 7% Assess to municipal services 3% 6% Quality of municipal services 5% 5% Relations with other people 3% 4% Other 7% 3% I have no concerns 16% 6% DIFFICULT TO SAY 7% 5% not responsive, are corrupt or removed from their More state services have been accessed by IDPs in everyday lives. the past two years. Even so, large majorities of host and IDP households report no differences in their IDPs and host communities share common concerns ability to access state services. In general, IDPs are over health care and buying basic necessities. For- satisfied with humanitarian aid, public transporta- ty-five percent of IDPs and 47 percent of hosts are tion, IDP registration and pension registration, ed- concerned about health care expenses with 39 per- ucation access, and utilities services. However, they cent of IDPs and 35 percent of hosts worried about express dissatisfaction with employment services, having enough money to purchase necessities. housing placement assistance, childcare, medical While taking special note of the disparity between care, social payments, and affordable food services. IDPs that are concerned about housing (61 percent) As noted, spending on necessities (including food), and local community members that expressed con- employment, utilities and rent are among the most cerns about housing (22 percent), it is still compel- urgent concerns for IDPs. It should be noted that ling how both communities register similar priority higher levels of satisfaction among IDPs toward ser- concerns over their economic well-being. vices tend to come from less vulnerable IDPs, includ- ing those that live in their own or relatives’ housing, When data is examined for IDP and host concerns those who are employed or have someone working by sector (e.g., education, health, social service de- in the family, or those that were displaced without livery) the primary concern in each instance is the ex- children. Hosts gave mostly positive assessments to pense of each service or the small size of payments; public transportation, education, and childcare ser- a financial anxiety and not a concern over the quality vices but also gave lower marks to employment and of service delivery. However, secondary and tertiary housing placement services. concerns that are common to both IDPs and hosts do focus on quality of service delivery and access. An examination of IDP and host concerns by region These include slow and complicated processes and suggests that IDPs find housing (the affordability of paperwork, long lines, a lack of information, impo- housing in particular) as the number one concern lite behavior on the part of public servants, and a across regions. For hosts, the priority issue is the lack of availability of services through the internet. affordability of health care, with significant varia- 18 FIGURE 12: STATE SERVICES ACCESSED SINCE DISPLACEMENT (IDPS) OR OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS (HOSTS) AS A PERCENTAGE OF EACH RESPONDENT GROUP Hosts IDPs Social support payment 39% 74% IDP registration services 74% Utilities 78% 53% Access to medical care 68% 53% Access to humanitarian aid 2% 42% Public transportation 47% 37% Pension registration services 4% 23% Support for renewing or receiving documents 5% 18% Employment placement services 4% 17% Access to housing placement services 0% 15% Access to education 14% 12% Access to legal advice and support services 2% 8% Access to psychological services 1% 7% Child care for children 4% 5% Affordable food 6% 5% Business registration services 1% 2% Services related to land and property rights 2% 2% Other 2% 0% DIDN’T RECEIVE ANY 8% 2% IT’S DIFFICULT / REFUSES TO ANSWER 1% 1% tion across regions. However, IDP populations vary cial benefits and the quality of municipal services in in their concerns across areas with the displaced in greater measure than hosts in the rest of the coun- Kyiv worried far more about access to education try. than IDPs elsewhere and IDPs in eastern oblasts significantly more concerned about employment A more directed line of questioning on certain than IDPs in the rest of the country. Among hosts, services reveals an interesting pattern of higher concerns over access to education in Kyiv are also levels of satisfaction among hosts and IDPs in the more pronounced than elsewhere. Hosts in eastern Donbas. Alternatively, IDPs and hosts in adjoining oblasts are also concerned about employment, so- eastern oblasts are the least satisfied with selected FIGURE 13: IDP CONCERNS BY REGION Donbas Neighboring oblasts Kyiv & Kyiv oblast Other oblasts 75% 67% 58% 52% 52% 52% 46% 46% 43% 39% 40% 37% 39% 29% 30% 30% 23% 18% 20% 21% 20% 21% 21% 17% 15% 14% 17% 17% 13% 13% 10% 9% 11% 9% 10% 10% 8% 5% 5% 7% 4% 7% 6% 7% 6% 8% 3% 6% 1% 1% 1% 4% Transportation Education Leisure activities Housing Social benefits Employment Child care Relations with other people Psychological well - being Assess to Health care Buying the necessities services services municipal municipal Quality of 19 FIGURE 14: HOST CONCERNS, BY REGION Donbas Neighboring oblasts Kyiv & Kyiv oblast Other oblasts 57% 54% 51% 39% 36% 35% 36% 32% 31% 28% 23% 21% 20% 17% 17% 15% 13% 15% 15% 10% 10% 11% 13% 10% 9% 9% 8% 9% 8% 11% 9% 8% 7% 7% 7% 5% 7% 8% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 1% 4% 1% 5% 2%4% 1% Housing Employment Social benefits Child care Transportation Education Leisure activities other people well - being Access to Buying the Health care necessities services services Relations with municipal municipal Quality of Psychological services. One rea- FIGURE 15: PERFORMANCE RATINGS OF “As for the service sector, son for this dissatis- hospitals, everything is the LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT: SCALE OF faction may be that 1 - 5 WITH 1 BEING “VERY BAD” AND 5 same here.” (IDP, Kyiv) host and IDP pop- BEING “VERY GOOD” (AVERAGE OF ALL “They have the same level of ulations in Kharkiv, service. For example, I was HOSTS AND IDPS) Dnipropetrovsk, and sitting in a clinic, my mother Zaporizhzhia oblasts needed a doctor, and they express greater con- IDPs Hosts were served in exactly the cern over their eco- same way.” (host, Odessa) 2.7 nomic future than 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 “No difference, I was there 2.4 others. IDPs in these 2.3 2.1 with my child, and there were eastern oblasts are 2.0 IDPs, sick children, on the also the most con- 1.7 same standing, both us and cerned about the them.” (host, Odessa) affordability of hous- ing whereas IDPs in the Donbas, Kyiv, and Kyiv oblasts claim they have fewer concerns about housing, childcare, munici- pal services, or social benefits. Generally, IDPs and City/(urban) village City major / Village City/rayon state Oblast state Executive authorities of city/(urban) village council deputies council head administration administration authorities National level hosts in Kyiv are most optimistic about the future. The majority of focus group and survey respon- dents from both populations express low rates of confidence in national, provincial and local level au- thorities. For both IDPs and hosts, regard for local and national level authorities is quite low, although local authorities have slightly higher performance Relatively few IDPs and hosts have regular contact ratings. Interestingly, hosts are slightly more skep- with government officials and tend to base their tical on the question of whether authorities care negative ratings of government on the long lines, about their concerns than IDPs. Yet hosts rarely fault red tape, and excessive formalism they experience IDPs for service deficits. Blame more often falls on when accessing many services and interacting with high prices, corruption and lack of availability. government services. The negative light cast on 20 FIGURE 16: LEVELS OF SATISFACTION WITH SPECIFIED SERVICES ON A SCALE OF 1 (VERY DISSATISFIED) TO 5 (VERY SATISFIED) AS A PERCENTAGE OF IDPS/HOSTS THAT RECEIVE THESE SERVICES Hosts IDPs Access to humanitarian aid 4.3 3.7 Public transportation 3.8 3.7 IDP registration services 3.6 Access to education 3.5 3.6 Pension registration services 3.1 3.5 Utilities 3.2 3.5 Business registration services 3.8 3.4 Access to legal advice and support services 4.0 3.4 Access to psychological services 4.1 3.3 Social support payment 3.4 3.2 Services related to land and property rights 3.3 3.2 Support for renewing or receiving documents 3.2 3.1 Access to medical care 3.1 3.1 Child care for children 3.6 2.8 Employment placement services 2.3 2.7 Access to housing placement services 3.6 2.6 Affordable food 3.4 2.6 government officials and institutions in various me- and productive community outreach by authorities Other 3.5 1.6 dia outlets may also contribute to such attitudes. (and may require “quick wins” to build confidence). There are two important and promising exceptions 2.3.4. Key Finding - Both populations to this negative trend. Several IDPs and hosts that report little discrimination toward IDPs have met with local government officials report positive outcomes from such encounters. In focus in accessing services and limited social groups, several participants describe going into tensions, though IDPs still perceive barriers such interactions with low expectations and being to full integration. pleasantly surprised when positive and concrete re- sults came of these While the survey did not explore social cohesion in meetings. Second, depth given the availability of other studies that ex- “Previously all those services were dispersed between IDPs and hosts that amined the topic, the data does reveal that social many establishments, and utilized new admin- relations between IDPs and hosts are of limited con- there was a queue at each istrative service cen- cern to most respondents.8 IDPs and hosts gener- establishment; it was done ters report a more ally regard the other with feelings that range from expressly to create corrupt favorable rating of neutrality to appreciation for their common hard- schemes. Now all this was their experience, ships. Relatively few IDPs or hosts express hostility eliminated and done to be giving high marks or cite systemic discrimination based on residency convenient and good. This is for efficiency and ef- status. IDPs and hosts tend to participate in civic ac- very encouraging.” fectiveness. Both of tivities in the same proportion (18 percent of IDPs (host, Belgorod-Dnestrovsky) these developments and 20 percent of hosts). Majorities in both com- “I have a very good impression suggest that there is munities describe mixing socially with the other, of this center. ...Everything is room to reverse low particularly in work settings and in neighborhoods. well-organized and takes a confidence in gov- minimum amount of time. I ernment institutions was very satisfied.” but that this will re- 8 See, in particular, the recent and comprehensive Social (host, Kharkiv) quire constructive Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) data, (USAID Ukraine, 2016). Available on request. 21 This is significant, the Donbas claim that they have experienced dis- “My friends are 50/50 (IDP and hosts).” (IDP, Odessa) especially given the crimination by landlords due to their IDP status longstanding pre- while fewer IDPs cite this problem in other parts of “After all, it is easier for conflict misgivings the country. Overall, IDPs in these eastern oblasts young people to adjust to that characterized felt more discrimination by local authorities and res- the situation, [we have] made idents than elsewhere in the country. They cite legal relations between some friends, it seems fine.” eastern regions and restrictions, difficulties with registration, and prob- (IDP, Chuhuiv) the rest of Ukraine. lems with getting housing contracts more often than “I already have more friends IDPs in the rest of Ukraine. The majority of IDPs in here in Kharkiv than I used to Hosts and IDPs tend cities and regional centers throughout each region have in Donetsk. I mean, I feel to report that rela- face difficulties related to high rent, while IDPs in as if I fell and I was caught by tions have improved small towns and villages cite poor transportation in supporting hands. Back there, over time as hosts their area as a more I didn’t have this.” (IDP, Kharkiv) and residents grow unique problem in more familiar with their daily lives. The “[The attitudes of locals are “I have many connections other’s lives and changing] for the better, I political and civic and friends, I am an outgoing think.” (IDP, Zaporizhzhia) share many of the participation rates of person. With the Kharkiv locals, it’s not like we’re one same hardships. IDPs are much high- “It has calmed down by now.” community, but we do talk on Key exceptions to er in oblasts outside (IDP, Kyiv) the everyday level.” this integration are of Kyiv, the Donbas, “Make yourself at home, (IDP, Kharkiv) pensioners that ap- or the three eastern but don’t forget you’re just “Thanks to some of the pear to be more so- oblasts neighboring visiting. Something like that.” doctors that have arrived... the cially isolated as are the Donbas. Over- (IDP, Kyiv) problem was covered.” IDPs that are unem- all, integration ap- “It is all strained. It’s not as if (host, Melitopol) ployed and those peared to be further you were at home. ... To settle living in sanatoriums developed in these down here like we did there, (collective housing for IDPs). Nevertheless, despite other oblasts as well. we have to live here for 15, improvements in social relations, IDPs maintain they 20, 30 years.” (IDP, Bilhorod- rarely feel “at home” in their locations. They cite be- Finally, hosts and Dnistrovskyi) ing unable to own a home, the inability to have large IDPs tend to share “It is different. Kyivians are the same views on at home. I am also in my networks of family and relatives around them, and how to improve inte- homeland, I am Ukrainian, the absence of economic safety nets that come with gration. Both agree but still, my rights have been strong family bonds as factors in their alienation. that the first priority limited.” (IDP, Kyiv) Moreover, an inability to vote in local elections, lim- is to resolve the con- “We are guests, and we will itations on their rights as citizens, and the sometimes flict in the east and be for a long time to come. invasive practices of government authorities con- to improve employ- ...because we have no voting firming their IDP status also contribute to a sense of ment prospects for rights.” (IDP, Lviv) marginalization. all Ukrainians. IDPs “Since 2014, everyone saw Hosts typically do not blame IDPs for the negative cite housing and se- their purchasing power, their changes they note in their lives although several curing permanent wages drop. I am talking about hosts cite positive improvements in the availability employment as pri- Kharkiv residents. So everyone of doctors and other trained medical personnel. In- orities in an integra- had to cut their expenses frequent attributions to IDPs for negative influences tion process. Less drastically. And then these discussed is any re- people came, and, of course, are increased difficulty entering university, an inabil- luctance by IDPs to the Kharkiv locals are jealous ity to find rooms in dormitories, and greater diffi- of them, ‘Who has come? culty finding employment. Moreover, relatively few fully integrate among those that hold out How do they live?’ The Kharkiv hosts associated an increase in crime or prices with locals probably think that IDPs IDPs in their communities, or expressed the opinion the possibility of re- receive more attention, more turn. Instead, more that IDPs were content to live off of state welfare and subsidies, but if the Kharkiv immediate econom- locals lived (knew how IDPs not look for work. ic and housing con- live) they would have no There are interesting regional variations in integra- cerns dominate de- reason to be jealous of those tion patterns. About one third of IDP respondents cision-making about who arrived.” (host, Kharkiv) residing in the three eastern oblasts neighboring the future. 22 FIGURE 17: INCLUSION OF IDPS BY REGION (BY ISSUE AS NOTED) Donbas Neighboring oblasts Kyiv & Kyiv oblast Other oblasts 24% 20% 16% 15% 15% 14% 13% 13% 11% 11% 10% 10% 8% 7% 4% 2% Participation in Being able to vote Feeling discriminated Feeling discriminated local meetings since displacement by local authorities by local residents 2.4. Priorities for Action – Addressing the Development Impacts of Displacement 2.4.1. To the Government of Ukraine est economic concerns, the highest level of skepticism toward government institutions, hh Integration solutions for the displaced are a the greatest levels of political marginalization priority and will require improved access to and the most pronounced lack of integration permanent employment, the ability to own between IDPs and residents. their own accommodation, and full political hh Policies and programs that help match and de- participation in the communities in which IDPs velop the skills of IDPs and hosts with existing live. As forced displacement within Ukraine and emergent labor markets will be required becomes static and the conflict becomes pro- for economic growth and integration. While tracted, the need for developmental solutions finding and securing long-term employment to the challenges IDPs face become more is more of a challenge for IDPs, both hosts pressing, especially as fewer IDPs intend to return home. Ensuring IDPs can vote in local and IDPs express demand for skills that make elections and that IDPs have access to credit them more marketable and adapted to the for home ownership, or home repair, will help emergent economy in Ukraine. address the need for reliable accommoda- hh To improve conditions in the health sector, tion for IDPs while promoting the integration ensure swift and effective implementation of of displaced persons. new health care reforms while considering hh A convergence of economic status among tailored health care support in areas hosting hosts and IDPs will require the formulation of large concentrations of IDPs. Health care pro- policies and programs that benefit both IDPs vision is the most heavily criticized service and their hosts. IDPs are economically vulner- sector in Ukraine. IDPs and hosts alike express able, yet hosts are also experiencing a deteri- dissatisfaction with the costs and availability oration of their economic status. Increasingly, of health services. IDPs and hosts contend with similar hardships hh Improving access to childcare for female IDPs, and share similar concerns over services and especially those that are heads of households, unfavorable views of government institutions. will reduce vulnerability and improve edu- hh Prioritizing work in Ukraine’s five eastern-most cation, health, and welfare outcomes. Wom- oblasts should be a priority to promote inclu- en-headed displaced households are partic- sion, growth and stability in Ukraine. Residents ularly vulnerable and IDP access to childcare and IDPs in eastern Ukraine express the deep- services is limited, posing barriers to women 23 that require additional income to provide for and in finding permanent, well-paid employ- their households. ment. Survey research underscores that IDPs are hh Continue the establishment of highly regarded more likely to work on a temporary or casual ba- administrative service centers and ensure ongo- sis which may result in a higher risk of income ing, timely, and effective delivery of services in loss, instability, unofficial employment, and lack these facilities. Develop parallel social service of protection by labor laws. Well over half of delivery centers to address IDP and resident unemployed IDPs are willing to find a job, with concerns over poor social service delivery and a high preference for vocational training, lan- access. guage courses, and entrepreneurship training. hh Improve outreach by oblast-level and local au- hh A program of small-scale consultative commu- thorities to communities. Consider civic-gov- nity improvement programming focusing on a ernment consultative engagement for “quick menu of public infrastructure options should be win” community-level projects benefitting hosts implemented in the five easternmost oblasts in and IDPs, beginning in five eastern oblasts of GCAs. Consultative community level program- Ukraine. ming focusing on visible and tangible outcomes for both hosts and IDPs will improve coopera- 2.4.2. For the Development Community, tion and relations between local authorities including the World Bank and communities in conflict-affected oblasts and reinforce nascent decentralization efforts. hh Development assistance should be scaled up Pilot activities may include: small-scale commu- in areas most affected by the ongoing conflict nity improvement projects that bring together to expand integration opportunities for the dis- IDPs, veterans, hosts, and local governments to placed and to address the economic, service improve marketplace areas, parks, street lights delivery, inclusion, and social stability challeng- and pedestrian areas, recreational facilities, and es impacting the lives of hosts and IDPs. De- community centers. velopment support is needed now to promote hh Support policies and programming around effective integration policies and programs and housing and home ownership for the internally to avoid protracted displacement that could be displaced. Activities could include pilots that: generational—as has been the case globally in explore/map local level solutions to housing for many IDP contexts. IDPs; provide options to ease credit for home hh Leverage technical expertise in access to finance ownership – or home repair through credit and financial risk management to promote SME unions in Ukraine; foster more regulation and development. Options for access to finance formality in establishing legal contracts and should be identified; a range of practical risk- leasing in the local housing markets; and pro- sharing product offerings developed; and tar- vide protection/referral services for IDPs on is- geted advisory services and capacity building sues related to housing and landlord disputes. made available to banks and SMEs to support hh Support the establishment of additional admin- the growth prospects of selected business- istrative service centers and the internal process- es, especially women owned/managed SMEs. es that make them successful. IDPs, veterans and Given the unprecedented double economic hosts express low levels of satisfaction with pub- shocks of conflict in eastern Ukraine and consid- lic services in general and low levels of confi- erably lower global commodity prices, access to dence and trust in the responsiveness of nation- finance for small and medium-size enterprises al and local authorities. Important exceptions (SMEs) in eastern Ukraine is particularly con- are new administrative service centers that re- strained. SMEs in the region may provide one ceive high marks by IDPs and host respondents of the best ways to promote economic growth alike. Building on these successes, pilot activities and help transition Ukraine’s economy toward could support the design and establishment of emergent markets. additional local level ‘one-stop-shop’ adminis- hh Identify areas and extent of demand for voca- trative centers and much needed social service tional and technical training to improve employ- delivery centers that include a focus on deliver- ment prospects, particularly for IDPs that face ing transparent/effective services to IDPs, veter- challenges with matching skills with new jobs ans and other conflict-affected populations. 24 3. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF VETERAN RETURN – FINDINGS AND PRIORITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT ACTION 3.1. Overview of Key Findings Since the outbreak of conflict, there has been experience. The overwhelming majority of veter- an overall increase in unemployment among ans would like this counselling to be provided by veterans, who contend with various challeng- veteran peers. es in their transition to civilian employment: Twenty-eight percent of respondents who were Gaps in the provision of medical services with employed prior to the Anti-Terrorist Operation high demand have a disproportionate impact (ATO)9 are now unemployed. Veterans in rural on older, disabled and unemployed veterans. areas and those in eastern and southern Ukraine Although most veterans are receiving the medi- cal services that they need (70 percent), there are are most concerned about a lack of work, and a gaps in the provision of medical services that are higher percentage of veterans in the age group of required by a higher percentage of respondents 18-29 years are likely to have temporary or casual overall, including access to sanatorium, physi- employment (23 percent) compared to 18 per- cal therapy and other direct medical assistance cent of veterans aged 30-45 years and 46+ years. (non-medication). Employers’ perceptions of veterans and views Although limited knowledge appears to be the on the conflict have implications for veterans’ main reason for gaps in providing social bene- transition to civilian employment. Their mistrust fits, denial of eligible benefits by service pro- towards veterans and concerns about hiring em- viders and the extent to which veterans believe ployees contending with post-traumatic stress certain benefits are relevant are also key issues. disorders (PTSD) or physical disabilities feature The denial of eligible benefits by service provid- among the top reasons for why more than half of ers is particularly relevant for veterans who have the survey respondents believe that it is harder disabilities and those who are based in the east- for veterans to find employment compared to the ern and southern oblasts. general population. The general assessment of national, regional Half of all veterans surveyed highlight the lim- and local government authorities’ performance itation of the current provision of both prob- and responsiveness to veterans’ issues is low. lem-solving counselling and enhanced psy- A little over one-third of all respondents feel that chosocial support in the country and articulate government officials at all levels pay attention to the need for enhanced therapy options. A key their concerns. The average rate of performance obstacle for veterans to acquire adequate psycho- across all levels of government does not exceed logical care is the proliferation of volunteer psy- 2.8 points on a scale of one to five (1 – being very chologists who do not have actual professional bad, 5 – very good). 9 The Government of Ukraine refers officially to the conflict in the East as the ‘Anti-Terrorist Operation.” 25 3.2. Profile of Survey FIGURE 18: GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Respondents – Veterans (PERCENT OF ALL RESPONDENTS) Oblast center City 50+ City 50 - As referenced in the methodology section, quanti- Urban village Village tative and qualitative data on veterans who partici- pated in the ATO in eastern Ukraine was compiled 7% and consolidated by region. Survey interviews for 6% quantitative data collection included 317 veterans, the majority of which took place in Kyiv (36 percent), 12% Dnipro (21 percent), and Zhytomyr (14 percent) and the rest in the remaining locations Kharkiv, Myko- laiv, Lviv and the Lviv region (the towns of Yavoriv 6% and Novoyavorivsk). 69% In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 40 persons in six locations: Dnipro (23 per- cent), Kyiv (20 percent), Novoyavorivs (18 percent), Lviv (15 percent), Severodonetsk and Berdychiv (13 percent), including veterans, family members and FIGURE 19: EDUCATION (PERCENT OF ALL representatives of veteran organizations. RESPONDENTS) Most survey respondents were men: 84 percent of Higher (basic or complete)/ Vocational (trade school) respondents for the quantitative survey were men Post-graduate Complete or some Some higher (college) and 16 percent were women. Although the actual secondary (secondary school) ratio of women in the military is smaller, there was a conscious effort to include a higher number of fe- male respondents in the survey to allow for mean- 12% ingful analysis of the data. The majority of survey re- 7% spondents (64 percent) were between 30-45 years of age, followed by 19 percent in the age range of 46-59 years, 17 percent who are 18-29 years of age, 49% and 1 percent aged 60+ years. Almost one third of survey respondents are residing in oblast centers; 12 32% TABLE 4: AREAS OF GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION FOR QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH TABLE 5: AREAS OF GEOGRAPHIC CITY PERCENTAGE CONCENTRATION FOR QUALITATIVE Dnipro 21% RESEARCH Lviv 3% CITY PERCENTAGE Zhytomyr 14% Kyiv 20% Kyiv 36% Berdychiv 13% Kharkiv 7% Severodonetsk 13% Mykolaiv 7% Novoyavorivs 18% Yavoriv 7% Lviv 15% Novoyavorivsk 6% Dnipro 23% 26 FIGURE 20: DURATION OF MILITARY 24 percent began their tenure in 2015. The majority SERVICE (PERCENT OF ALL RESPONDENTS) (42 percent) were demobilized in 2015, 27 percent in 2016 and 6 percent in 2014. While 42 percent of respondents served for less than one year, 50 per- 51% cent served for more than one year but less than 18 months. Per local veteran organizations, the average 37% duration of military service is 18 months. For the qualitative part of this research, respondents for the 40 in-depth interviews included 36 veterans, 6% 5% 1% including 35 men and 1 woman. In addition, two interviews were conducted with veterans’ family <6 6-12 13-18 19-24 Over 24 members (both female) and two with local veteran months months months months months organizations. 3.3. Key Findings percent are in smaller cities (population < 50,000); 7 percent in villages; and 6 percent in urban villages 3.3.1. Key Finding - Since the outbreak of as well as larger cities (population > 50,000). conflict, there has been an overall increase Overall, the level of education among survey re- in unemployment among veterans who spondents is high: almost half have a post-graduate contend with various challenges in their degree, and about one third have a college degree. transition to civilian employment. Almost two thirds (64 percent) of the veterans sur- veyed are currently employed, 26 percent are un- There has been an overall increase in veteran unem- employed, and 6 percent are retired. ployment since the outbreak of the conflict. Nearly Eighty-three percent of respondents served in the a third (28 percent) of respondents who were em- Armed Forces of Ukraine, with a smaller number of ployed prior to the ATO are now unemployed, while veterans from volunteer battalions (8 percent) and 6 percent of those who were unemployed prior to the National Guard (6 percent) and other divisions ATO operations have acquired jobs after demobi- subordinate to the Ministries of Defense and Internal lization. In terms of geographic differences, veter- Affairs. More than half (56 percent) of respondents ans in rural areas and those in eastern and southern served in the military voluntarily and the rest (44 per- Ukraine are most concerned about the lack of work; cent) were conscripted. More than half (56 percent) those in rural areas often cite the instability of work commenced with their military service in 2014 and as a significant factor in their well-being. Compared FIGURE 21: EMPLOYMENT BEFORE AND FIGURE 22: NATURE OF EMPLOYMENT AFTER ATO (PERCENT) BEFORE AND AFTER ATO Employment before ATO Employment after ATO Employment before ATO Employment after ATO Employee 54% 28% Permanent (with 88% 84% unlimited duration Self-employed 11% 9% or for a long term) Employer (hires 4% 2% Temporary 6% 8% workers on a permanent or temporary basis) (for a limited short term) Serviceman, 16% 24% law enforcement employee Casual (irregular, 5% 7% by chance) Unemployed 14% 36% 27 to 17 percent of respondents from the center and percent confirm that they opted not to return to their western oblasts, almost twice as many based in the previous place of employment. Of these, 44 percent eastern and southern oblasts admit that they are fre- indicate that their rationale was lack of interest in quently stressed or depressed because of not hav- the former job, a notable contrast to the situation of ing enough work. older veterans, of whom less than 40 percent state that their primary reason is that their place of em- The public administration and defense sector ployment no longer existed. Within the pool of 23 emerges as a key source of employment for both percent of younger veterans who are unemployed, male and female veterans. There is a high and per- 21 percent say that they do not desire fulltime em- sistent concentration of veterans engaged in the ployment. When asked whether they would rather public administration and defense sector; evidence opt for part-time/casual income generation oppor- from indepth interviews suggests that many veter- tunities in a subsequent question, almost one-third ans choosing to reenlist after their return from the of 18-29 year-old respondents profess their lack of war. Many feel that salaries and service conditions interest. are more favorable in the military, and that they have the skills and experience to contribute. While Information compiled from qualitative interviews at- this is a short-term solution for gainful employment, tests that for some younger veterans, experiences it may be problematic once the conflict has ended during the conflict led to renewed or changed at- and there are less resources and opportunities for titudes and values, including the desire to explore military service. different types of employment opportunities. For others accustomed to receiving adequate com- Aside from the public administration and defense pensation during their military service, it is difficult sector, the research findings indicate that employ- to reconcile this stability with job prospects that ment patterns for veterans are related to geograph- do not offer at least the same or higher level of in- ic location. Compared to 6 percent of veterans in come upon demobilization. Moreover, factors such the center and western oblasts who have jobs in as the availability of unemployment compensation, the manufacturing sector, and 7 percent who are the need for recuperation and time for reunification engaged in wholesale and retail trade, more than with family may play a role. However, this trend of double this percentage in the eastern and southern apathy toward follow-on employment may signal oblasts are employed in these sectors. On the other the need to intervene during demobilization to facil- hand, in comparison with the 11 percent of veter- itate the transition of former ATO participants, and ans based in the center and western oblasts, only 3 to provide career guidance and counseling, particu- percent of respondents in the eastern and southern larly for younger veterans. oblasts work on human health and social work ac- tivities Employers’ perceptions of veterans and views on the conflict also have implications for veterans’ tran- Compared to their middle aged and older peers, sition to civilian employment. Although employ- younger ATO veterans appear to have a different ment challenges stem, in large part, from the impact mindset towards their transition to civilian employ- of the economic downturn on the labor market, the ment. Although the level of unemployment across views of survey and focus group participants sug- the three age groups is similar, a higher percent- gest that the impact of employers’ perceptions and age of veterans in the age group of 18-29 years are biases on veterans’ likely to have temporary or casual employment (23 percent) compared economic prospects is “Entrepreneurs are afraid to to 18 percent of vet- also a factor. take in veterans. They are “It was kind of a private erans aged 30-45 now in the first category of enterprise, I was not officially Employers’ mistrust years and 46+ years. towards veterans and officers, not officers, soldiers working there. Who will of reserve. No one knows wait for me there for 1.5 The survey data also their concerns about how the situation will turn years? They have already suggests a degree of hiring employees con- out in the future. And an recruited other people. passivity towards ci- tending with PTSD or entrepreneur understands Anyway, I myself do not want vilian job prospects physical disabilities this, and this is a risk for the to work in sales anymore.” feature among the top entrepreneur, to give such on the part of young- (volunteer, disabled, 29, reasons for why more person a job.” (NGO, female, er veterans. Among male, Severodonetsk) than half of the survey 30, Novoyavorivsk) younger veterans, 59 respondents believe 28 FIGURE 23: EMPLOYMENT SEARCH DIFFICULTIES nities. These are manifested (PERCENT OF THOSE VETERANS WHO THINK IT’S MORE by variations in job search DIFFICULT TO FIND A JOB FOR A VETERAN) modalities and training pref- erences for urban and rural respondents, for example, 1st reason 2nd reason 3rd reason as well as older veterans and those based in the eastern Mistrust towards the veterans 44% 14% 6% and southern oblasts com- among the employers pared to their peers residing Because of disability/bad health/ 27% 21% 8% in the center and western psychical problems oblasts. It is more likely that Lack of proper state 9% 13% 9% respondents based in urban employment services areas apply through job ad- Political issues 3% 12% 14% vertisements posted online Mistrust towards the veterans (50 percent) or in published 5% 8% 12% among the authorities mass media (32 percent) Mistrust towards the veterans 3% 11% 7% or conduct their job search in the community through volunteer organiza- Other 8% 5% 6% tions providing assistances to veterans (28 percent). In Lack of education/experience 2%3% 7% contrast to the 12 percent of urban residents, almost twice as many veterans in that it is harder for veterans to find employment rural areas would avail of job fairs and a mere 5 per- compared to the general population. Also, many cent would consider using volunteer organizations employers have misgivings that veteran employees providing assistances to veterans as an avenue for may be conscripted again if there is escalation of their job search. Compared to 1 percent of veterans the conflict in the Donbas. in urban areas, 10 percent of respondents in rural locations specified their desire for training to work However, some in-depth interview revealed exam- in the service sector (barber, waiter). On the other ples of employers who have demonstrated their hand, language courses (41 percent) and IT edu- patriotism and gratitude toward veterans by giv- cation (32 percent) are a higher priority for urban ing them hiring preference over other candidates. based veterans. Respondents have also specified instances of state enterprises and companies that managed to weath- In comparison with to their younger peers, veterans er the economic downturn and retain their jobs for in the 46+ age group are more likely to apply for them. jobs advertised by the State Employment Service, published mass media or in the streets. They are also Employment and economic outcomes for disabled least likely to turn to private employment agencies veterans in particular suggest that social perspec- for help in conducting their job search. Compared tives hold sway on decisions regarding employabili- to 17 percent of younger veterans, only 7 percent of ty. While unemployment rates for disabled veterans veterans in this age group confirm that they would and nondisabled veterans are almost identical (26 avail of high quality vocational or business develop- percent and 27 percent), closer examination of the ment training provided by the private sector. nature of employment for these groups reveals that 38 percent of disabled veterans have temporary or Almost half of the respondents who have complet- casual/irregular jobs compared to 10 percent of ed secondary education or lower would respond to their peers who do not report any disability. The online job advertisements and 29 percent would be percentage of disabled veterans who believe that willing to contact employers or HR directly or start their employment is unstable is three times that of own business from scratch. They are also particular- their nondisabled counterparts. ly inclined towards opportunities for entrepreneur- ship training (43 percent). On the other hand, more Survey findings also reveal differences in employ- educated veterans appear to be more comfortable ment, job search and training preferences across with responding to SES job advertisements and us- different categories of veterans for market opportu- ing private employment agencies. About one third 29 of the respondents from this pool have expressed sal relationships and parenting; and (iii) easing them preference for vocational training (auto mechanic, back into the extended family and community. Cur- electrician, seamstress etc.). rently, only four percent of veterans have attended counselling related to family, partner and parenting 3.3.2. Key Finding – Veterans cite limitations issues, with less than 12 percent considering going of the current provision of both problem- with their spouses. However, if an improved prob- lem-solving counselling program were available, solving counselling and psychosocial then this figure would increase to 35 percent. support. The overwhelming majority of veterans would like this counselling to be Respondents mentioned several major drawbacks preventing veterans from obtaining psychosocial provided by veteran peers. support. One of those is the lack of profession- al psychologists. Around one half (47 percent) of Survey findings show that almost one quarter (23 veterans agree that they the reason for not using percent) of all veterans have accessed some form psychosocial counselling is its lack of availability. of psychosocial counseling. However, most have Likewise, a little over one third (35 percent) of vet- found this to be both inappropriate and substan- erans cannot access problem solving family, partner dard. Notwithstanding both the criticism and lim- and parenting counselling, due to its unavailability. itations, an additional 19 percent say they plan to Furthermore, thirty-nine percent of veterans and all attend counselling when the opportunity arises, in- NGO representatives interviewed, expressed dissat- creasing to 47 percent if improvements were made isfaction with the quality of work from psychologists. to existing programs. According to the re- Over three quarters (78 percent) of veterans recog- spondents, there are “A person who had nize the importance of the support given to them on too many volunteer been fighting, killed and their return, by their spouses and families. A signifi- psychologists who witnessed close friends cant 85 percent felt that that both veterans and fam- do not have actual being killed, got injured ... ilies would benefit from psychosocial counselling professional experi- This person subconsciously as part of their adjustment back to civilian life. In in- ence. For example, cannot understand how a terviews, veterans confirm the role of their spouses veterans pointed to professional psychologist, and other family members in helping them readjust the proliferation of with no such experiences, to civilian life. In addition to assisting them to cope may help. The person is ‘internet psycholo- certain that a psychologist with any residual physical injuries, illness, and men- gists,’ which refers cannot understand them. It is tal distress, they mention: (i) realigning roles and re- to non-profession- a problem.” (NGO, male, 37, sponsibilities in the home that might have changed als who complete a Kyiv) during the veteran’s absence; (ii) working on spou- short course on the FIGURE 24: ATTITUDE TOWARD PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELLING/PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILY MEMBERS (PERCENT OF ALL VETERANS) Psychosocial counselling Family, partner or parenting service I would use the service if it were readily available 47% 35% There is sufficient information for veterans to know what 34% 26% the service is and who can benefit There a stigma associated with those using the service 29% 16% The service is only for veterans and not their families 12% Receiving the service is a sign of weakness 5% 3% The service is only for people who have mental problems 9% Veterans have to pay for the service 6% 6% The government service is rubbish 38% 35% 30 internet and then pro- FIGURE 25: HOW DO YOU RECEIVE “In this regard, it would be vide services, either better for it to be obligatory, INFORMATION ON HEALTH BENEFITS/ as a volunteer or for a SERVICES AVAILABLE TO YOU AS A so to say. That is, a man fee. Many respondents VETERAN? NAME 3 SOURCES FROM THE comes from the front, and also believe that even must during, say, the next MOST IMPORTANT TO THE LESS IMPORTANT month to work for 2 hours the bonafide psycholo- (PERCENT OF ALL VETERANS) with a psychologist.” gists do not know how (conscripted, male, 28, Lviv) to work with veterans. 1st source 2nd source 3rd source Many veterans would only trust those who Other veterans 5% 14% 17% have military experience themselves. Such respon- dents believe a nonveteran psychologist is unable Facebook and other social networks 19% 9% 6% to understand and help former combatants because of their unique wartime trauma. To overcome this NGOs 12% 14% 8% obstacle, veterans suggested training veteran peers in lowintensity counselling skills and working with Word of mouth 8% 14% 9% foreign psychologists with experience in military At government 13% 8% 5% operations could provide assistance to veterans. institutions Hospital, doctors, Some veterans believe that a basic course of low-in- mobile clinics 15% 3% 3% tensity psychosocial counseling should be made Other 8% 3% 2% mandatory for all those who return from the ser- vice. However, respondents also underscored that TV 5% 4% 2% psychological help for veterans is not always readily available, especially in smaller cities and rural ar- Billboards 1% 1% eas. Almost two-thirds (63 percent) of respondents also highlighted that veterans do not have access to sufficient information about what psychosocial free tax advice, court or notary fees. Consequently, counselling is and how it can help, and emphasized veterans have been unable to avail of these benefits. that acquiring information from trusted sources is important. Several respondents note that after returning home, veterans often find themselves in somewhat of an 3.3.3. Key Finding – Gaps in information and information vacuum. Although information on social in the provision of medical and other social and medical assistance is available on the Internet services has a disproportionate impact on (e.g., Facebook), using the internet is not an option for all veterans. There are also instances when pub- older, disabled and unemployed veterans. lic service employees either do not possess infor- mation about veter- Survey findings point to the need for more com- prehensive information on medical assistance and ans’ benefits in some “When my husband was gone, health services. Overall, 85 percent of respondents cases, or provide we were given brochures in indicate that they would like to receive more infor- information that is the enlistment office, where we mation. Those veterans who are volunteers, age 30- incorrect or outdat- can call in case we need some ed; the most reliable support. I did not call anywhere, 45 years, and who have completed secondary edu- but his mother did, and out of cation or lower, believe that they are less informed source of informa- all the phones listed there, not about their benefits. Veterans with disabilities cite tion then becomes one was working... Some were receiving information from public organizations the other veterans. Ide- no longer in service, there was most often. ally, veterans would no one picking up on others.” like to have access (veteran’s widow, female, 34) The dearth of information is more apparent for some social assistance benefits compared to others and to various sources appears to be related to the geographic location of of information, including the Internet, brochures, veterans. For example, 69 percent were not aware billboards, and advertising on TV. In addition, they of the onetime free renovation grant and 51 percent would like to have places where they could get in- indicated the same for construction loans, as well as formation and advice. 31 Gaps in the provision to 27 percent of nondisabled veterans, 44 percent “Information in all regional of medical services of disabled veterans who require sanatorium ser- military enlistment offices in high demand have vices do not have access. Similarly, 23 percent of would be good - in detail. a disproportionate disabled veterans have not acquired pharmaceuti- An Internet portal with impact on older, cal supplies in contrast to 15 percent of their peers schemes of interaction with disabled and un- who do not have disabilities. all state departments, a list of employed veterans. documents and an updated Respondents from the unemployed pool of veterans Although most vet- list of both acts and by-laws, also struggle more to get these services. There is a erans are receiving that is, everything available in shortfall of 44 percent and 27 percent respectively the medical services a simple language for non- for unemployed veterans (compared to 23 percent lawyers. ” (volunteer, disabled, that they need (70 percent), there are and 11 percent of employed veterans) who require male, 29, Kyiv) gaps in the provision sanatorium services and pharmaceutical supplies. of medical services Access to medical assistance also varies between that are required by a higher percentage of respon- rural and urban areas. For example, service gaps for dents overall, including access to the sanatorium, health resort treatment are higher for urban based physical therapy and other direct medical assistance respondents (33 percent compared to 19 percent (non-medication). for rural respondents). Veterans aged 46+ years require other medical care Although 85 percent of survey respondents indi- and pharmaceutical supplies (59 percent), physio- cate that they are satisfied with the quality of ser- therapy (52 percent) and support for treating chron- vices overall, closer examination of the survey data ic illnesses (38 percent). The percentage of veterans reveals that there is a higher proportion who are who have not acquired access to these services more dissatisfied among more vulnerable groups of (sanatorium - 37 percent, physiotherapy - 15 per- veterans. In fact, almost one third of disabled vet- cent, pharmaceutical supplies - 18 percent) attests erans who availed of treatment for chronic illness, to the service delivery gap for this group. The data psychological support, and the sanatorium indicate suggests that disabled veterans also struggle with that they are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied gaining access to medical assistance, i.e., compared with the quality of these services. A shortage of medicines was the most common FIGURE 26: SINCE DEMOBILIZATION, HAVE problem cited in interviews. In such cases, respon- YOU REQUIRED/RECEIVED THIS SERVICE? dents had to purchase all or some medications themselves, instead of being provided with them Required Received free of charge if they were not available at the hos- 16% pital. In addition, some veterans’ conditions have Surgery 10% not been covered by free services. Most often, when 43% it came to non-wound related conditions, costly Physiotherapy 29% surgery, or long-term treatment and rehabilitation, veterans reported having to pay for the cost of the Orthopedic devices: prosthesis or 9% entire treatment. orthesis 5% 32% Some respondents also point out that there is prac- Chronic illness treatment 22% tically no institution that is qualified to provide Rehabilitation for Substance/ 2% services for rehabilitation of veterans in Ukraine. Alcohol Use/Abuse 2% Trained specialists only are found in a few military hospitals. In the institutions where most veterans are 33% Psychological support 20% sent, neither doctors nor staff appear to be properly trained in veteran specific health care or rehabilita- 57% Sanatorium tion. 27% Other medical care and 44% There is also a shortfall between the supply and pro- pharmaceutical supplies 27% vision of land and apartments that are in high de- 2% mand. Overall, 98 percent of veterans are aware that Other 1% they are eligible for access to free land. Of this, 79 percent attempted to access this benefit and 22 per- 32 cent ended up gaining access to this benefit. Over- exchange their plots or their rights to it for substan- all, 87 percent of respondents indicate that they tially smaller financial compensation. In addition, are familiar with their eligibility for an apartment, of some respondents suspect the local authorities of which 37 percent made the attempt to claim it, and corruption and selling the good plots set aside for only 2 percent succeeded in acquiring this benefit. veterans. The data suggests that veterans based in urban ar- eas in particular have difficulty in accessing apart- Although limited knowledge appears to be the main ments and housing construction loans. Their peers reason for gaps in providing social benefits, denial in the rural areas are contending with the same, but of eligible benefits by service providers and the ex- with regard to their requests for free land, child ed- tent to which veterans believe certain benefits are ucation grants and telephone discounts. relevant are also key issues. The role of service pro- viders is particularly relevant for veterans who have Some of the respondents have tried to exercise disabilities and those who are based in the eastern their right to the plot (going to the government and and southern oblasts. Of the disabled veterans who standing in line, collecting necessary documents, have attempted to gain access to land for instance, participating in protest initiatives designed to solve 57 percent (compared to 30 percent of their peers the problem). Other veterans, after seeing how their without disabilities) believe that they were unsuc- acquaintances have been treated, have decided to cessful because service providers did not want to temporarily abandon the idea of applying since they provide these benefits despite eligibility. Twice as do not see real prospects for themselves. When vet- many disabled respondents as nondisabled vet- erans have received land, they have often found it erans indicate the same for their applications for to be unsuitable for use. In addition, cases of fraud apartments. have become frequent, when veterans are forced to FIGURE 27: CHALLENGES IN ACCESSING SOCIAL BENEFITS (PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS) Not absorbed into formal armed force Cannot prove veteran status Did not know of benefits received by veterans and eligibility Service providers did not want to provide these benefits despite eligibility Not interested/did not require the benefit/service Other DA/REF An apartment 15% 19% 21% 34% 10% Once-time free renovation grant 61% 8% 13% 11% 7% A loan for construction of your dwelling 45% 6% 26% 15% 9% The various types of free land 3% 36% 8% 41% 11% Transport benefits when traveling inside the city 8% 3% 3% 8% 29% 8% 42% Once every two years, transport benefits to travel inter-city 12% 4% 53% 7% 23% Education grant 30% 3% 44% 13% 10% Your children’s education grants 28% 5% 49% 7% 11% Free fixed telephone installation and 50% discount on calls 23% 1% 58% 6% 11% Additional two weeks of paid annual leave 20% 12% 33% 28% 7% May 5th annual material assistance grant from the State 3% 31% 9% 4% 28% 23% Free tax advice, court or notary fees 44% 3% 34% 10% 10% 33 Veterans based in the eastern and southern oblasts FIGURE 29: AVERAGE RATE OF also refer to denial by service/benefit providers as GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE (SCALE OF 1 an impediment to gaining eligible benefits, though TO 5) lack of knowledge about certain benefits still fea- tures as the primary reason for them. Interestingly, this appears to be an issue not only for benefits City/(urban) village that they require which are in high demand overall council deputies 2.3 (land, apartments), but also other less desired ben- efits, such as renovation grants, children’s education Executive authorities of city/(urban) village council 2.5 grants, tax advice, court or notary fees. City major/ To improve local level service delivery, one-stop Village head 2.7 -centers were established within regional councils in 2015. However, funding for one-stop centers has City/rayon 2.6 been a challenge since they were intended as advi- state administration sory drop in hubs to be staffed by volunteers, and Oblast state 2.8 further support from local Councils has not been administration forthcoming. Several have not been functioning National level effectively since they have been unable to address authorities 2.1 the complexity of some of the service delivery is- sues or assist the number of drop-in veterans asking for assistance, thereby undermining the confidence example is the Combat Veteran Assistant Center in of veterans’ in their efficiency and viability which Lviv that is funded directly by the City Council, which was low to begin with. Still, there are a few exam- allocates up to 10 percent of the city budget to the ples of well-functioning one-stop centers that have needs of veterans. This Centre provides information managed to be successful mainly due to sustained and low-intensity counselling for veterans and their sources of funding. For instance, the Center for ATO families, and is staffed by veterans and their families Participants of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council with a remuneration of no less than UAH 4000 per is working as originally intended since it is funded month (US$150/month). by the Head of the Regional Council. Another useful Finally, half or more than half of the respondents FIGURE 28: DO VETERANS BELIEVE THAT indicate that they did not acquire intercity trans- GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PAY ATTENTION port benefits, discounts on telephone installation TO THEIR CONCERNS? and phone calls and children’s education grants because they were either not interested or did not Yes No DA require them. Local transport benefits and housing renovation grants for instance, are not considered to be relevant by veterans based in rural areas. The City/(urban) village council 32% 55% 13% majority of veterans aged 18-29 years (69 percent) deputies have not expressed interest in children’s education grants. More than one third of female veterans ex- Executive authorities 37% 45% 18% pressed lack of interest in loans for construction of of city/(urban) village council housing. City major / Village head 43% 44% 13% 3.3.4. Key Finding – Veterans’ general assessment of authorities in terms of City/rayon state 44% 38% 18% paying attention to their concerns is low. administration 32% 32% 36% The prevalent sentiment is that politicians and na- Oblast state administration tional government authorities generally do not serve in the conflict, do not understand veterans’ National level 29% 53% 18% needs and concerns, and actively benefit from their authorities military service. Most respondents stay away from political parties and do not cooperate with them. 34 The general assessment of the performance and medical supports and benefits generally have not responsiveness to veteran issues by national, re- been fulfilled. The majority of veterans (69 percent) gional and local government authorities’ is low. A agree with the statement that the war in the Don- little over onethird of all respondents feel that gov- bas intensified existing problems in Ukraine (pov- ernment officials at all levels pay attention to their erty, unemployment, poor infrastructure conditions, concerns. The average rating of performance across etc.), but that the conflict itself is not the main rea- all levels of government does not exceed 2.8 points son for these problems. The residual perception is on a scale of one to five (1 being very bad, 5 being that government has not ‘done enough’, not only for very good. The highest average score was assigned them but also the country at large. to regional government administrations (which are directly engaged in establishing ATO participants Survey findings point to lack of information in all support centers). Almost the same score was giv- regions as a serious barrier to receiving assistance, en to city mayors and village heads and regional/ especially since the government still has not put city government administrations. Veterans give the forth a comprehensive information policy. Although lowest scores to local council deputies and national some noted that in the ATO zone information is authorities. spread among the fighters, after returning home veterans often find themselves in somewhat of an The majority (83 percent) percent of veterans have information vacuum. The main source of informa- never interacted with officials at the national lev- tion regarding health, benefits, and employment el, with 47 and 44 percent respectively not having opportunities for veterans is usually word of mouth done so at the oblast and rayon levels. When asked from other veterans, social networks or the inter- who was of greatest assistance to veterans on their net/social media. A total of 85 percent of veterans return, public authorities rank seventh with only 6 indicate that they would like to receive more infor- percent. Friends, other veterans, civil society, NGOs, mation primarily through the internet, but also inter- employers, and religious institutions were all ranked actively through dedicated consulting centers. This significantly higher than government. lack of information does not only apply to veterans, but is also a cause of concern for families with active Respondents’ primary concerns with the govern- service men and women on the front. ment are that promises around living conditions, 3.4. Priorities for Action – Addressing the Development Needs of Veterans 3.4.1. To the Government of Ukraine: tion to providing information and guidance, these centers would assist veterans, IDPs hh Take measures to improve on its overall com- and members of host communities navigate munications strategy towards veterans and the procedures and requirements to acquire messaging about veterans to the rest of so- access to public benefits, veteran’s benefits, ciety. There is a need to inform, persuade, employment opportunities, housing, mental prevent misunderstandings, present specific health, education, and other social services at points of view and reduce bias towards veter- one location. The funding would aim at train- ans. This could entail elaborating on the pos- ing NGO staff to provide: (i) general informa- itive contribution that veterans have made to tion and legal assistance, and (ii) lowintensity the security of the country and potentially to counselling. Such a program would have to the economic sector and social space within be coordinated with the GoU and City Coun- the country. The ultimate objective is to im- cils, in order for the trained NGO staff to be prove social cohesion and employment pros- located within the existing Centers. Some of pects of veterans. this information could also be made digitally available in one portal. hh Consider funding a network of NGOs to en- hance the provision of services and counsel- hh Develop an evidence-based vocational and ling at the current one-stop-centers. In addi- well-being “re-training” program for veterans 35 prior to separation that clearly articulates some hh Provide due consideration to initiating a low- of the unique challenges that may affect military intensity, simplified and scalable problem-solv- veterans in the transition process. This training ing counselling or problem-solving therapy na- should emphasize adapting their military iden- tional program that focuses on working on prob- tity to their new civilian life focusing on per- lem management. Such an intervention would ceptions of employers and civilian colleagues; target cater to the needs of the overwhelming setting realistic expectations around job oppor- majority of veterans who deal with low level tunities and compensation; and understanding psychological problems such as: stress, fear, how unresolved mental and physical health is- feelings of helplessness, etc., as well as practi- sues can lead to more severe behavioral health cal readjustment challenges related to conflicts issues that impact employment opportunities. within families, issues with communities, seek- ing work and workplace difficulties, etc. hh Use a variety of channels to enhance recruitment outreach to all veterans via the State Employment hh Recruit, train and deploy veterans to deliver a na- Service. In addition to helping employers target tional problem-solving counselling/therapy pro- labor market segments more effectively about gram. The World Health Organization Problem geographic location and the range of qualifica- Management Plus (PM+) is an individual psy- tions and experiences required for hiring, this chological program aimed at assisting adults approach could also be helpful to address the impaired by distress due to exposure to adver- issue of information asymmetry for veteran ap- sity. It is designed for training persons who are plicants who may be suited for advertised posi- not mental health professionals. tions, but lack information about job openings, to assist the transitioning of veterans back into hh Urgently identify and fast-track training of spe- civilian life. cialized physicians and mental health prac- titioners to improve their psychological and hh In parallel, consider putting in place a package pharmacological skills when engaged in conflict of career counselling, training and internship related trauma counselling. Such mental health programs for veterans. This would help with op- care coverage needs to have a national cover- portunities to: i) to assist what in the future are age and can also be extended to IDPs and ci- likely to be young men with secondary educa- vilians who have been effected by the conflict. tion to make informed career choices that result An existing program that could be considered in employment and/or microentrepreneurship is the previously funded World Bank Harvard prospects; ii) refer veterans to appropriate voca- Program in Refugee Trauma that focuses on the tional training or tertiary education institutions identification and treatment of extreme trauma and support them with their applications; and and has been used in numerous postconflict en- (iii) actively engage the private sector to gauge vironments. the willingness to establish and support intern- ship programs for veterans, particularly in lag- hh Consider putting into place a robust reinsertion ging regions within Ukraine. information and sensitization campaign to in- form veterans, their families and communities of hh Examine the impact of potential tax breaks and PTSD, what families should expect with regard credits on nonprofit and private sector enter- to such problems and how a simple treatment prises. As part of a larger national strategy to plan can address most needs. Such a campaign enhance the employability of the disabled, the should be delivered through trusted sources GoU could examine the feasibility of establish- and target veterans families. ing such a tax regime that would result in an incentivized program that potential employers 3.4.2. To Employers in Ukraine can ascribe to in hiring persons with disabilities. Such a program would also target disabled vet- hh Educate managers on the value of veteran in- erans as part of this larger group. terns and employees. This will be helpful to ensure that human resources in enterprises are hh Strengthen the mandatory psychosocial screen- able to better understand, communicate and ef- ing of veterans prior to demobilization and re- fectively interact with veterans in order to better ceiving state benefits with the objectives of de- understand specific competencies that veterans termining the level of counselling required. 36 have which could potentially enhance their em- program for specialized physicians and mental ployability or internship prospects and opportu- health practitioners. nities their firms. hh Consider supporting the GoU in improving 3.4.3. To Development Partners, including “one-stop-shop’ service centers by designating them as information hubs to disseminate infor- the World Bank mation on benefits and services available to vet- erans and IDPs. Such hubs would provide guid- hh Collaborate on support to government to de- ance to assist understanding of procedures and velop an appropriate low-intensity counselling processes related to public benefits for IDPs program, assist with the training and subsequent and host communities, veterans’ benefits, jobs, countrywide deployment of counsellors to pro- housing, mental health, education, and other vide services to veterans, IDPs and other conflict social services available to them. It would also affected persons. Such assistance could be ex- help those who have served in the military over- tended to run for 24 months, include periodi- come barriers to services. Such hubs would be cal trainer-to-trainer peer learning events and based in physical locations to strategically en- refresher courses before handing over to gov- sure maximum geographic coverage and in the ernment. Similar collaboration could be con- form of an online portal. sidered for the development and training of a 37 4. CONCLUSIONS As the conflict spills into its fourth year, recent eco- planning and engagement from development nomic blockades between GCAs and NGCAs have and humanitarian actors in Ukraine would assist in led to a further deterioration of the socio-economic bridging this divide. The Multi-Partner Trust Fund situation in eastern Ukraine. The blockades have re- on Peacebuilding and Recovery can also serve as a verberated across the Ukrainian economy—cutting platform for this type of conversation and coordina- off vital industrial links, with significant job loss and tion, especially as the humanitarian community in- threats to energy and communication services. The creases its calls for development actors to become blockades underscore the continued tenuousness more engaged. of a sustainable settlement to the conflict and they augment the growing psychological and physical Progress will also require that the Government of divide between areas of control in the Donbas. Ukraine send a strong message regarding its com- mitment to outreach and socio-economic support Indeed, repeated attempts to implement a lasting to conflict-affected populations in GCAs. The re- ceasefire through the Minsk (negotiation) Process search underscores a crisis of confidence in Gov- have thus far been unsuccessful. The increasingly ernment institutions across all surveyed population protracted nature of the crisis, which risks becom- groups. To achieve a durable solution and future ing the ‘new normal,’ highlights the urgency of integration, Ukraine needs to win the ‘hearts and mid- to longer-term integration solutions for con- minds’ of eastern populations in particular. This flict-affected populations. Survey findings that in- would include a strong program of support and ternal displacement is relatively static, that social communications campaigns. Both surveys (IDPs/ cohesion is relatively intact, and that the numbers hosts and veterans) also point to the potential of of veterans continues to grow points to a moment citizen service centers or service delivery ‘hubs’ as of opportunity to consider more sustainable op- a visible mechanism of more efficient, targeted and tions, including on employment, housing, services, transparent Government delivery mechanisms at and community relations. the local level. Areas near the line of contact that are oversubscribed by residents in GCAs and those Urgent attention to integration efforts would also traveling from NGCAs would be excellent places to address the risk that Ukraine slip down the path begin improving such services. Ukraine’s overall of the majority of displacement contexts—average reform effort, including on decentralization, would displacement is now 12 years globally. There has benefit from improved outcomes and progress traditionally been a lack of early engagement by amongst these conflict-affected communities. development actors, alongside humanitarians, to manage the early onset of development needs The convergence of the experience of IDPs and of both displaced populations and the communi- hosts in terms of economic circumstances and ser- ties that host them.10 Joint analysis and multi-year vice delivery challenges points to the cumulative impacts of the crisis on the Ukrainian economy and social support systems, particularly in eastern 10 Center on International Cooperation, Addressing Protract- Ukraine. This finding also highlights the need for ed Displacement: A Framework for Development- Humanitarian Cooperation, http://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/addressing_ Government and donor investments that target protracted_displacement_a_think_piece_dec_2015.pdf both population groups and prioritize holistic pro- 38 gramming with broader benefits for communities Moving forward, findings and recommendations impacted by the conflict. from survey research will be utilized to inform pri- orities and programming for recovery and develop- Survey research also highlights that the direct im- ment efforts in Ukraine. As the GoU advances the pacts of the conflict are faced by eastern popula- elaborated State Target Programme for Recovery in tions but also by internally displaced persons, vet- the Eastern Regions of Ukraine, results can assist in erans, and host communities across Ukraine. The better targeting services and support and inform- socio-economic stresses on eastern populations, ing GoU policies and financing. Research findings particularly those closest to the ‘contact line’ are will also shape pilot programming designed under profound—but effects of the conflict are felt across a World Bank State- and Peacebuilding Fund grant Ukraine where communities and social systems are to the Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories unable to cope. While support should focus on the and IDPs and the early programming of a Multi-Part- most acute areas of need, there is scope to consider ner Trust Fund on Peacebuilding and Recovery with tailored development solutions across the country. potential programming and donor investments across diverse sectors. 39