In light of the situation in Ukraine, UNHCR is receiving an increasing number of requests for information about the international standards for protection and assistance of internally displaced persons.

Who are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

According to the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, internally displaced persons are persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border.

Internally Displaced People. Questions & Answers (In English)

Internally Displaced People. Questions & Answers (in Russian)

International Standards of Assistance to IDPs

In the past, people displaced inside their own countries received limited assistance, or sometimes none at all. The International Committee of the Red Cross - as the guardian of the Geneva Conventions which govern the conduct of war - has been active in this field for many decades. Other agencies and governments began a wider debate in the late 1990s and in 2005 -acknowledging a widespread failure to adequately help internally displaced civilians - they adopted what is intended to be a more coordinated, expansive and "predictable" method of tackling the problem.

In the interests of encouraging both government authorities and civil society to build on international standards in their emergency preparedness, UNHCR has compiled documentation regarding these standards available in Russian and in English.

For more information, visit UNHCR Global website on IDPs (in English).

Ukrainian legal framework on IDPs

IDPs registration

the Law "On ensuring of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons" (dated 20.10.14), with amendments dated 24.12.2015

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 509 dated 1 October 2014 "On registration of internally displaced persons from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and anti-terrorist operation area"

IDPs targeted financial assistance at GCA

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 505 dated 1 October 2014 "On providing monthly targeted financial support to internally displaced persons from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and anti-terrorist operation area to cover livelihood, including housing and utilities"

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 535 dated 1 October 2014 "On the approval of the Procedure on the use of funds received from individuals and legal entities to provide one-time financial assistance to affected persons and persons from temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine or anti-terrorist operation area"

Legal regime at TOT and TNT

the Law of Ukraine "On guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of citizens and on the legal regime on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine", dated 15.04.2014

The Cabinet of Ministers Order No 8-R dated 11.01.2017 On approval of the Action Plan for the implementation of certain principles of the domestic policy regarding certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts temporarily outside the control of the government

The Actions Plan for implementation of the CoM Order No 8-R dated 11.01.2017

Government introduces emergency regime in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and high alert regime throughout Ukraine, 26.01.2015

IDPs accommodation within GCA

Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 213 dated 25 June 2014 on temporary accommodation of families displaced from Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol

The Cabinet of Ministers Order No 588-r dated 11 June 2014 on Social Security Services for citizens of Ukraine displaced from temporary occupied territory and anti-terrorist operation area

Pension supply

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 637 dated 5 Nov 2014, On welfare payments to persons displaced from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and antiterrorist operation conduct districts

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 595 dated 7 November 2014 on Some issues of financing budget institutions, paying social benefits and providing financial support to individual enterprises and organizations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions

Social protection

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 637 dated 5 Nov 2014, On welfare payments to persons displaced from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and antiterrorist operation conduct districts

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 595 dated 7 November 2014 on Some issues of financing budget institutions, paying social benefits and providing financial support to individual enterprises and organizations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions

Humanitarian aid

The Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No 21 dated 30 Jan 2015, On procedure of rendering of humanitarian assistance to the population of Donetsk and Luhansk regions

IDPs integration

The CoM Resolution No 1094, dated 16.12.2015 "On Approval of the Comprehensive National Programme for Support, Social Adaptation and Reintegration of Citizens of Ukraine Internally Displaced from the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine and Anti-Terrorist Operation Conduct Area to Other Regions of Ukraine for the period until 2017"

the Plan of Actions for Employment and Training of IDPs for 2015-16

Ministry for TOT and IDPs

The COM Resolution No 376, dated 8.06.2016 approving the Regulations on the Ministry of temporarily occupied territories and IDPs of Ukraine

the draft laws relating to IDPs registered at the Parliament

the draft Law No 3844 on Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine regarding rental of housing by IDPs, registered at the Parliament on 29.01.16

a draft Law No 2167 on Amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On ensuring the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons" (re compensation for the value of the IDPs damaged property) registered at the Parliament on 13.03.2015

a draft Law No 2373 "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine" On free legal assistance " (to ensure the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons) registered at the Parliament on 13.03.2015

UNHCR position on Ukrainian legal framework on IDPs

UNHCR Achievements in 2015

Key messages, February 2016

Key Protection Concerns and UNHCR Recommendations

UNHCR proposals to the draft Law "On amending of the Law of Ukraine "On ensuring of rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons "

International Protection Considerations Related to Developments in Ukraine – Update II (15 Jan 2015)



Presentation on IDPs Law and related Ukrainian legislation

Press release of 20 October 2014

UNHCR welcomes adoption of the law by Ukrainian Parliament to protect people displaced by conflict

Press release of 15 September 2014

UNHCR encourages swift adoption of legislation to protect internally displaced persons in Ukraine

Government resources for IDPs

Information for IDPs regarding voting (in Ukrainian)

State Migration Service of Ukraine webpage for IDPs (in Ukrainian)

Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine information for displaced persons from Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (in Russian)