At the end of 2020, Ukraine hosted 2,274 refugees, including 95 mandate refugees, and 2,366 asylum-seekers. According to the State Migration Service, out of 2,160 recognized refugees, 1,273 held refugee status, 24% of them women. The number of people with complementary protection increased from 820 in 2019 to 887, 23% of them women. The number of new asylum applications decreased by 42% (597 people compared, to 1,036 in 2019) as a result of COVID-related travel restrictions leaving Ukraine out from major migration routes toward the European Union. Most asylum-seekers originate from Afghanistan (36%) and the Syrian Arab Republic (22%). During 2020, UNHCR identified 21 unaccompanied and separated children. Overall, the recognition rate in 2020 was 24% compared to 21% in 2019 with 32% of recognized refugees receiving refugee status compared to 44% in 2019, Ukraine having acceded to the 1954 and 1961 statelessness conventions in 2013. The authorities have not yet implemented a statelessness determination procedure hence there were no changes in the number of registered stateless people (some 5,800 out of the estimated 35,875 stateless). This estimate is considered to be significantly lower than the actual stateless population in Ukraine. The census, which was expected to provide updated data on statelessness, has been postponed. In Ukraine, migrants and members of the Roma ethnic minority and people lacking birth registration are at heightened risk of statelessness and may face discrimination. An estimated 65,000 babies born in NGCA lack Ukrainian-issued birth certificates and may be at risk of statelessness. This number rose 30% in 2020 because of the prolonged closure of the EECPs which prevented parents from entering GCA to register their babies. Jointly with members of the Humanitarian Country Team, UNHCR advocated for simplification of the birth registration procedure in NGCA. To prevent statelessness, it is critical that babies born in NGCA have their births registered by the civil authorities at an early stage.
There has been no significant new displacement in 2020. The Ministry of Social Policy reports 1.4 million IDPs in Ukraine. The UN estimates that 734,000 IDPs reside more permanently in GCA. Among IDPs registered with the Ministry of Social Policy, 59% are female, 14% are children and 50% are pensioners. Most IDPs were displaced from NGCA during 2014 and early 2015 as a result of armed conflict while smaller numbers come from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, including a significant number from the Crimean Tatar community. The legal framework contains provisions that treat IDPs from Crimea differently from IDPs from the east. Having been displaced for six years, IDPs in Ukraine need to find longer-term solutions to their displacement. Surveys show that few plan to return home in the near future. Most report feeling fully or partially integrated in their current communities, but report that they lack employment (particularly women) and access to affordable housing.
Along both sides of the contact line, UNHCR assists vulnerable conflict-affected people. Among those with humanitarian needs, the UN estimates that 37% are elderly, 55% women and girls, and 13% are persons with disabilities. Residents of NGCA faced growing humanitarian and protection needs in 2020 due to the prolonged closure of the EECPs.