Appeal from the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities to the Government
The Association of Frontline Cities and Communities (AFCC) has urged the government to address compensation payments for housing destroyed in temporarily occupied territories and areas of active or potential hostilities. Signed by AFCC head and Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, the appeal highlights flaws in current legislation—specifically, Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 600, which allows commissions to suspend review of compensation claims when safety concerns prevent on-site inspection of damaged properties.
Ukraine currently hosts approximately 4.6 million internally displaced persons, many of whom risk falling into a legal vacuum under existing regulations. Terekhov noted that thousands of Ukrainian families now find themselves in exactly this predicament.
“They cannot invite a commission to conduct an inspection because it is physically impossible, yet they also cannot use the remote inspection mechanism, as current law does not extend it to temporarily occupied territories. As a result, people who have already lost their homes due to Russian aggression are denied the chance to exercise their right to state compensation. This is unjust,” Terekhov emphasized.
Calls for Legislative Changes
The AFCC is asking Ukraine’s Ministry of Communities and Territories Development, together with the Ministry of Justice, to prepare and introduce amendments to regulatory acts. These changes should ensure that citizens whose homes were destroyed in temporarily occupied territories or areas of possible or active hostilities—where inspections are impossible—can still receive housing certificates.
“If a person sees no real prospect of obtaining housing or fair compensation for lost property, they will increasingly be forced to build their future in another country. Therefore, the issue of housing certificates is not just a matter of social support, but a key component of state policy to bring Ukrainians home,” Terekhov added.
He further stated that “every decision that restores justice helps Ukrainians return home and improves people’s well-being—it is a decision in favor of Ukraine’s future.” The AFCC thus stresses the urgent need to resolve the compensation situation for war-affected individuals, a point reinforced by numerous citizen appeals.
This initiative by the AFCC marks a significant step toward restoring the rights of internally displaced persons who have suffered due to hostilities and occupation. Resolving the compensation issue could have a major impact on social stability in Ukraine, as thousands of people remain without adequate support, complicating their return to normal life. Amending the legislation would send a strong signal to affected citizens that their needs are not being overlooked by the state.
In light of the ongoing challenges faced by displaced individuals, it is crucial for affected Ukrainians to stay informed about available resources. For instance, recent updates allow displaced persons to modify their payment details through the Pension Fund portal, facilitating smoother access to compensation. This development highlights the importance of navigating legal avenues and support systems amidst the complexities of the current situation. To learn more about these updates, you can read further on the Pension Fund portal.