Ukraine’s State Policy Strategy on Internal Displacement through 2030 is built around four strategic objectives. Together, they are intended to create a comprehensive support system for internally displaced people—from evacuation planning to full integration into host communities or voluntary return home. The implementation of the Strategy is coordinated by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 598-r of 10 June 2026.
Below, we explain each strategic objective and what it will mean in practice.
Strategic Objective 1. Establishing a Comprehensive and Coordinated State Policy on Internal Displacement
This objective aims to ensure that support for internally displaced people is continuous and coordinated throughout every stage of displacement—from evacuation to integration into a host community or voluntary return.
The Strategy seeks to strengthen coordination among public authorities so that people are not left to cope with challenges on their own after displacement.
Planned measures include:
- ensuring the work of the Interagency Coordination Council under the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity;
- updating legislation on internal displacement;
- launching a unified digital support platform that will accompany people throughout every stage of displacement (“The IDP Journey”).
What does this mean for communities?
By 2030, most territorial communities are expected to integrate the needs of internally displaced people into their development strategies and local budgets. Decisions related to internal displacement should be made with the participation of displaced people themselves.
The Strategy identifies IDP Councils as one of the key mechanisms for dialogue between public authorities and internally displaced people.
In particular, the Strategy requires Oblast Military Administrations and local self-government authorities to:
“conduct consultations with IDP Councils on decisions that may concern or affect the lives of internally displaced persons.“
At the same time, key ministries are tasked with:
“establishing systematic feedback between central executive authorities and internally displaced persons, including through the activities of IDP Councils, in order to take their proposals into account when developing and adjusting state policy.“
Strategic Objective 2. Coordinated Evacuation from Areas of Hostilities and Departure from Temporarily Occupied Territories Based on People’s Needs
This objective introduces a new approach to evacuation. While previous efforts focused primarily on moving people quickly out of danger, the Strategy places equal emphasis on support after evacuation.
Every displaced person should receive assistance tailored to their individual needs rather than through a one-size-fits-all approach.
Planned measures include:
- establishing clear evacuation procedures;
- defining the responsibilities of all authorities involved in evacuation;
- assessing people’s needs during evacuation or immediately after arrival in a safe community;
- expanding the network of transit centres as part of a continuous support system.
Success under this objective will be measured by indicators such as:
- at least 75% of evacuees receiving a needs assessment and the necessary assistance within the first 72 hours after relocation;
- at least 85% of people with reduced mobility receiving specialised support during evacuation;
- repeated emergency relocations accounting for no more than 10% of all evacuees, demonstrating the effectiveness of initial settlement.
Strategic Objective 3. Supporting Integration into Communities and Promoting Self-Reliance
The Strategy focuses on creating conditions that enable internally displaced people to support themselves and their families independently. Assistance should be tailored to each person’s individual needs.
Planned measures include:
- regularly assessing the needs of internally displaced people;
- integrating these needs into strategic, budgetary, and investment planning at the community level;
- strengthening financial support for communities hosting large numbers of IDPs through improved intergovernmental transfers;
- prioritising public investment in housing, social and administrative services, accessibility, and economic opportunities.
Particular attention will be given to employment, vocational education and training, entrepreneurship, and support services that enable people to work, including childcare and care services for people requiring assistance.
The Strategy recognises access to housing as one of the main factors for successful integration. This includes not only temporary accommodation but also long-term housing solutions such as social housing, supported living services, affordable rental programmes, and financial instruments for housing construction or purchase.
By 2030, most internally displaced people are expected to have access to permanent housing, while the number of people living for years in collective sites for temporary accommodation is expected to gradually decrease.
Strategic Objective 4. Creating Conditions for the Voluntary, Safe Return and Reintegration of Internally Displaced People
The Strategy is based on the principle of voluntary return. People should make informed decisions about returning, with access to reliable information on security conditions, housing, employment opportunities, and the availability of essential services.
Planned measures include:
- developing a unified national return policy for internally displaced people;
- introducing support programmes for people who decide to return, regardless of whether they are returning from another region of Ukraine or from abroad;
- aligning return policies with territorial recovery programmes.
Return should take place only after critical infrastructure, housing, and essential public services have been restored and safe living conditions have been established.
What is the role of IDP Councils?
At the regional level, IDP Councils will participate in consultations on support programmes for people returning to their communities together with local self-government authorities and military administrations. They will also develop proposals for implementing state policy on internal displacement and contribute to monitoring its implementation at the local level.
The Strategy also provides for improving community financing mechanisms so that they better reflect changes in population caused by displacement and return.
Stay Tuned for Our Upcoming Publications
In our next publication, we will examine the recent amendments to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 812 of 4 August 2023 and explain how these changes affect the work of IDP Councils.
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.