Mayor's Appeal for Tailored Support
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov is urging the national government to adopt a specialized support policy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who reside in cities close to the front lines. He argues that IDPs remaining in these frontline communities face unique challenges related to security and strain on local infrastructure, necessitating a distinct approach. As of the report's publication, Kharkiv itself is hosting 211,789 registered IDPs, a significant increase since the full-scale invasion began.
Needs and Challenges for the Displaced
Prior to the full-scale war, Kharkiv was home to approximately 100,000-120,000 IDPs. Many current arrivals come from within the Kharkiv region, including areas like Kupiansk and the Vovchansk direction, as well as from the Donetsk, Sumy, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Despite constant shelling, Kharkiv remains the nearest major city for many, offering access to hospitals, protected underground schools, free public transport, and employment opportunities that are scarce elsewhere.
The Kharkiv city authorities have already proposed specific measures for supporting IDPs in frontline towns. The proposed framework includes:
- Priority funding for temporary and social housing;
- Rental assistance payments;
- Support for communities in restoring damaged infrastructure;
- Expanded access to medical services;
- Assistance with job placement.
Ihor Terekhov emphasizes the critical need for a separate support package for IDPs who stay in frontline communities, highlighting the necessity to account for security risks and the heavy burden on local resources. This situation is a direct consequence of Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's eastern and southern regions.
By remaining in frontline zones, internally displaced persons often face instability and limited access to basic services. - Ihor Terekhov
Consequently, the mayor's initiative for a differentiated state policy could be a vital step toward providing more targeted and effective aid for these individuals. Amidst the continuing conflict, developing specialized programs for IDPs could alleviate their hardship and contribute to stabilizing the situation in the region.