Reception conditions in Ukraine remained inadequate. There are only three temporary accommodation centres (TACs) in Ukraine with limited capacity. In 2020, all TACs were filled to their full capacity. There were delays with admitting people into TACs during the pandemic and COVID-19 tests were required, with the expenses often covered by UNHCR. In 2020, UNHCR supported TACs with hygienic items, directly and through mobilization of the private sector (Unilever). The Government did not allocate funds to support asylum-seekers living outside the TACs although asylum-seekers do not have access to free medical care, even to urgent care. This left the most vulnerable fully dependent on UNHCR support. In 2020, UNHCR supported several life-saving treatments in addition to its regular medical support programme. Access to official work was unavailable for asylum-seekers and most asylum-seekers and refugees worked in the informal sector. During the lockdown, they have been particularly affected as they lost access to daily wages, and in some cases, also to remittances. Also, they did not benefit from the protective measures introduced by the Government to try to mitigate the effects of quarantine, notably those related to unemployment benefits. Many refugees became unable to cover even the most basic needs. As a response, UNHCR significantly increased its cash assistance programme in 2020 to support the vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees whose livelihoods were affected by the pandemic. Access to education for school-aged refugee children, as well as attendance of language courses for adults, also became jeopardized as not every household had Internet access or the available IT equipment for home studies. UNHCR supported vulnerable families with cash assistance, including to cover the winter months when families faced additional heating costs. UNHCR continues to offer regular monthly subsistence allowances (MSA) to the most vulnerable individuals and families in accordance with its recently revised SOPs. UNHCR observed an increased number of applications due to the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19. Elderly recognized refugees and child protection beneficiaries are entitled to a minimal state social pension which is insufficient to cover even their most basic needs. Even though UNHCR did not observe an increase in the number of reported cases of gender-based violence or domestic violence in 2020, UNHCR and partners consider that the risk increased for refugee women because of the COVID-19 restriction measures introduced by the Government. In particular, UNHCR considers that the quarantine measures prevented timely reporting. UNHCR continued with its efforts to place identified unaccompanied and separated children into State-run boarding schools in compliance with the mechanisms available for Ukrainian nationals. In some cases, there have been delays with the appointment of a legal representative for them. The integration possibilities for unaccompanied and separated children in child service facilities remained very limited. UNHCR conducted five best interest determination panel/child protection coordination and advocacy meetings with partners covering all the regions of Ukraine. As a result, durable solutions were identified for 22 unaccompanied and separated children. UNHCR continued its cooperation with the Ombudsperson’s office on monitoring children’s rights, including protection interventions in the cases of detention of unaccompanied and separated children at the border, family reunification cases, and on custody issues.
