IOM in Ukraine

The International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Mission in Ukraine was established in 1996, when Ukraine became an observer state of IOM. In 2001, Ukraine requested membership in IOM, which was formalized with the Ukrainian Parliament’s ratification of the IOM Constitution in 2002.

In line with IOM’s global strategy, IOM Ukraine aims at advancing the understanding of the opportunities and challenges of migration in the Ukrainian context.

Maximizing those opportunities and minimizing the challenges presented by migratory movements are the guiding principles of all activities and programmes the Mission is engaged in.

The IOM Mission in Ukraine provides assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and war-affected people, fights trafficking in human beings, assists the Government in dealing with irregular migration, improving its migration management system, and creating migrant-inclusive health practices and policies. At the same time, IOM Ukraine engages in harnessing the development potential of migration, disseminating migration information, supporting integration of migrants, promoting the benefits of cultural diversity, and counteracting xenophobia and intolerance.

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, IOM has refocused its programmes and projects and from February 2022 to March 2023 has reached about three million people with humanitarian support that includes provision of non-food and hygiene items; water, sanitation and hygiene support; multipurpose cash; emergency health and mental health and psychosocial support; assistance to collective centres; protection and other types of support.