“An increasing number of internally displaced persons in Ukraine are returning to occupied territories due to financial difficulties and lack of monetary assistance”, – Ombudsman says

An increasing number of displaced people are returning to their homes in either occupied or frontline areas.

This information reported according to Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets.

He explained that people are taking this step “due to socio-economic difficulties in their new locations.”

Lubinets stated, “The situation is worsening—there is a decrease in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), as they are returning to temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and frontline cities because of the socio-economic challenges they face in their new places. This is a serious concern. I have raised this issue at the government level. The state must clearly communicate what financial assistance a person can expect so that they have confidence in their future.”

In September, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that there are no plans to increase state aid for displaced people in 2025. He believes the current level of assistance is sufficient.

It is important to note that since March, most displaced persons have lost the monthly payment of 2,000 hryvnias (45 euros). The payments were extended for another six months only for specific groups, including pensioners, people with disabilities in groups 1 and 2, children with disabilities, orphans, and children deprived of parental care.