Facts and Figures

IOM Member State since 2001 Capital: Kyiv Population (2011): 45.2 million Area: 603,700 sq km Official Language: Ukrainian Currency: Hryvnya (UAH) GDP per Capita PPP (2010): USD 6,721 HDI Rank (2011): 76 of 187 Remittances (2011 estimate): USD 6,494 million Net Migration Rate (2010-2015): -0.4 migrants /1,000 population Immigrants (2010): 198,325 Women as a Percentage of Immigrants (2010): 53.3% Population under 15 (2011): 14.4% Adult HIV Prevalence (2009): 1%	Additional Resources Migration in Ukraine: Facts & Figures Migration in Ukraine: A Country Profile 2008 International Migration Law Database National Instruments: Ukraine
Sources and Definitions More Facts and Figures Foreigners in Ukraine (2006): 213,749

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The 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 in 2002.

In the past 20 years Ukraine has shifted from a relatively immobile society with limited freedom of movement to a country of origin, transit and increasingly destination of migrants. With the start of Ukraine’s approximation to the association with the European Union and preparation to the further facilitation of the visa regime between EU and Ukraine, the improvement of migration management has become an important task for the state. A number of reforms started in 2010, inter alia, the administrative reform, also triggered the development of a new approach to migration-related issues.

At the end of 2010, the State Migration Service of Ukraine was established as the central executive body responsible for migration management. In May 2011 the State Migration Policy Concept was approved by a Presidential Decree. IOM Ukraine was asked to provide comments, which were taken into consideration in this strategic document aimed at aligning Ukrainian migration management with international standards. IOM Ukraine also participated in the elaboration of the Law on Countering Trafficking in Persons which was approved by the Ukrainian Parliament in September 2011. The Mission continues supporting legislative initiatives for human and orderly migration.

In line with IOM’s global strategy, IOM Ukraine aims at maximizing the opportunities and minimizing the challenges presented by migratory movements in the country. The Mission continues to fight trafficking in human beings, assisting 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 exploring and promoting regular channels for Ukrainian labour migrants, harnessing the development potential of migration, disseminating migration information, managing migration movements and integration of ethnic minorities, promoting the benefits of cultural diversity, and counteracting xenophobia and intolerance.

Managing Migration

Counter-Trafficking Programme. Ukraine is a country of origin, transit and increasingly of destination for trafficking in men, women and children. Internal trafficking is also a growing problem. According to research commissioned by IOM, over 110,000 Ukrainians became victims of human trafficking since 1991, which makes Ukraine one of the largest countries of origin of slave labour in Europe.

IOM’s Counter-Trafficking Programme in Ukraine, launched in 1998, aims to support government and civil society efforts to combat trafficking in human beings within the four interrelated spheres:

1. Prevention and Advocacy. IOM places special emphasis on preventing human trafficking in cooperation with government agencies from the social and education systems, law enforcement, other international organizations as well as a network of civil society organizations throughout Ukraine.
   IOM raises awareness and informs about the risks of falling victim to trafficking through special information campaigns targeting the general population, specific risk groups, youth, unidentified victims as well as state and non-government professionals who might be in contact with potential victims (see http://en.stoptrafficking.org/).
   The National Counter-Trafficking and Migrant Advice Hotline was established with IOM’s support in 2006 and since then has received over 115,000 inquiries.


2. Prosecution and Criminalization. IOM has established itself and remains the leading agency aiding the Ukrainian criminal justice system in the development of an effective response to trafficking.
   In order to enhance the access of victims of trafficking to justice, IOM provides comprehensive capacity building services to the criminal justice chain in Ukraine. This includes thematic trainings, technical assistance facilitating, networking with countries of transit and destination, capacity building in the sphere of mutual legal assistance, and strengthening victim/witness protection mechanisms. IOM also partners with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine to enhance the identification of potential trafficking victims at the country’s borders and to improve cooperation with specialized police units.


3. Protection and Reintegration. IOM Ukraine started assisting Ukrainians who had become victims of trafficking (VoTs) in 2000. Together with a network of partner NGOs throughout Ukraine, IOM provided comprehensive reintegration assistance to almost 8,000 VoTs, which included medical care, psychological counseling, shelter, vocational training, financial assistance, legal consultation and representation in court.
   Over 90 per cent of VoTs assisted by IOM Ukraine are being successfully employed/self-employed or enrolled into the education institutions. Over 265 VoTs benefited from IOM´s Micro-Enterprise Development Programme, setting up 190 micro-enterprises and creating close to 350 new jobs.
   IOM operates a Medical Rehabilitation Centre, the only one of its kind in Ukraine, where comprehensive and free of charge medical care and psychological assistance are provided to beneficiaries in a safe and confidential manner. Since 2002, more than 1,900 victims have benefited from the Centre’s services.


4. Partnership is the basis of all of IOM’s counter-trafficking efforts. Working with a growing circle of partners, including various government agencies, international organizations, civil society, private companies and individuals, and facilitating cooperation among them, IOM enhances action against human trafficking in Ukraine.
   

Main Projects

• Counter-Trafficking in Persons in Ukraine 2009-2013
• Danish Programme against Human Trafficking in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe 2009-2011
• Prevention of Human Trafficking through Social Work and Community Mobilization
• Strengthening Capacities of Law Enforcement to Combat Trafficking in Persons to Ukraine as a Country of Destination
• Strengthening National Mechanisms for the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Victims of Human Trafficking in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine
• Ensuring Security of Victims and Witnesses in Criminal Cases Related to Trafficking in Persons in Ukraine
• Strengthening Capacities of the Law Enforcement and Judiciary to Prosecute Labour Trafficking in Ukraine

Capacity Building in Migration Management Programme. IOM is assisting the Ukrainian Government to develop a comprehensive migration management system by enhancing its capacity to manage migration flows, in line with implementation of the EU-Ukraine Readmission Agreement and EU-Ukraine dialogue on further facilitation of the visa regime. IOM works with the State Migration Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as well as partner NGOs, to institutionalize best practices in the field of migration management, including migrant accommodation and to safeguard the human rights of migrants by establishing joint mechanisms for monitoring accommodation conditions and improving migrants’ access to qualified medical, legal, interpretation, and other social services.

Focusing on long-term impact and sustainable solutions, IOM supports the SBGS’ transformation to an EU-type law enforcement agency practicing integrated border management through assisting the Service to reform its operational management, training, human resources and career development systems.

Furthermore, IOM produces analytical studies and briefs and provides advice and counsel on the development and amendment of legislative acts related to migration management and border management pursuant to recognized international standards.

Main Projects

• Support to Implementation of EU Readmission Agreements with the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine: Facilitation of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (SIREADA)
• Strengthening the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine’s Risk Assessment and Criminal Analysis Training Systems (ARCA 2)
• Strengthening the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine’s Integrated Approach to EU-Compliant Training Standards - Phase II (ITP 2)
• Improving Operational Management of Field Divisions at the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) of Ukraine, Border Divisions (I, II)
• Innovative Career Development Project (INCA)

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme. In adherence with international best practices, IOM Ukraine operates an Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, which facilitates orderly, safe and dignified voluntary return options for irregular, stranded migrants and failed asylum seekers.

IOM does not participate in any form of forced returns of migrants.

In 2005-2011, IOM assisted over 450 migrants (including families and unaccompanied minors) who were voluntarily returning from Ukraine to more than 25 countries of origin. IOM also provides reintegration assistance to Ukrainian returnees from such countries as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Venezuela.

Maximizing the Opportunities of Migration

Labour and Facilitated Migration Programme. IOM aims to facilitate the development of policies and programmes that are in the interest of migrants, the society and the Ukrainian Government, and which provide effective protection for labour migrants’ and their families’ rights.

IOM promotes the concept of circular migration as it can respond to short-term requirements for labour in countries of destination, while at the same time maximizing the development impact of migration in Ukraine. IOM continues to assist the Ukrainian Government in its efforts to put into place transparent, equitable recruitment schemes ensuring that migrant workers are placed in decent working conditions in particular within the framework of bilateral arrangements between Ukraine and main countries of destination.

IOM’s specific areas of focus include information dissemination on labour migration, database setup and registration of potential migrant workers, matching skills with demand, selection and pre-departure orientation, transit and post-arrival assistance, complementary orientation, job placement, and return and reintegration in Ukraine. IOM’s major achievements include the activation of the Portugal-Ukraine Bilateral Agreement and creation of an operational mechanism for the implementation of labour migration programmes between Ukraine and EU countries.

Main Projects

• Temporary and Circular Labour Migration Between Portugal and Ukraine
• Effective Governance of Labour Migration and its Skill Dimensions

Migration Health Assessemnt Programme. Since its inception in 1997, IOM Ukraine’s migration health department provided health assessment services to more than 185,000 migrants. Health assessments consist of an evaluation of the physical and mental health status of migrants for the purpose of resettlement, international employment, enrolment in specific migrant assistance programs, or for obtaining a temporary or permanent visa. IOM Ukraine conducts health assessments for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.

Reflecting national differences in immigration and public policies and practices, there is a diverse range of assessment requirements. The purpose of health assessments is to ensure that migration does not endanger the health of the migrants or pose a public health risk during travel or upon arrival at the final destination. In addition, health assessments identify and address conditions of public health concern in order to mitigate the impact of the migrants’ disease burden on national health or social services.

In response to the request of receiving countries, IOM has partnered with medical, laboratory and radiology services in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa in order to ensure the delivery of efficient, customized and quality services in the major cities of Ukraine. In the context of health assessments, IOM Ukraine provides other complementary travel and integration-oriented health promotion services such as treatment, counseling, health education, immunization and medical escorts.

By addressing the health needs of migrants, IOM is improving migrants’ health, protects global public health, facilitates integration of migrants and contributes to the social and economic development of Ukraine.

Promoting Cultural Diversity and Integration of Migrants. IOM takes an active role in promoting cultural diversity in Ukraine, as it is only through acceptance that migrants are able to fully contribute their wealth of knowledge, ideas and experiences to society. The Mission achieves this through implementing dynamic programmes tailored toward youth, using all the resources modern media has to offer. Through art, music, cinema, the Internet and interactive events, IOM invites the next generation of Ukrainian men and women to challenge stereotypes and experience the benefits of cultural diversity for themselves.

Responding to an increase in the number of suspected racially motivated attacks in Ukraine beginning in 2006, the IOM, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amnesty International and other concerned civil society organizations formed the Diversity Initiative (DI) in 2007, to address the issue in a coordinated manner.

DI is a voluntary cooperation platform, which strives to uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants, refugees and visible minorities in Ukraine. It currently includes over 65 organizations from the international, civil, corporate, and Government sectors as well as diplomatic missions and interested individuals (see http://diversipedia.org.ua/).

IOM also works to integrate national and visible minorities in Ukraine through economic empowerment of migrants. Specifically, IOM is currently assisting ethnic Koreans living in Southern Ukraine to integrate them into the Ukrainian economy and safeguard their rights.

These developmental activities are leading to increased legal employment opportunities for ethnic Koreans, through training and micro-loan programme supported by the Korean Embassy, as well as contributing to economic development of the region by raising levels of knowledge and education in the field of modern agricultural techniques, business start-ups and administrative support.

Main Projects

• Promoting Cultural Dialogue in Zakarpattya and Lviv Regions in Ukraine
• Development of a University Education Module on Cultural Awareness
• Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Discrimination from Ukrainian Police Investigation Documents
• Promoting Values of Multiculturalism through ‘Living Library’ Events
• Programme to Combat Xenophobia and Racism in Ukraine and Russia
• Economic and Social Integration of Ethnic Korean Minority in Ukraine

Migration Information. IOM aims at discouraging Ukrainians from migrating irregularly and informing them about potential abuse when going abroad through awareness raising activities and provision of information to migrants in Ukraine. IOM implements activities to inform migrants about their future living and working environment prior to their departure and assists certain groups of migrants through language training courses to facilitate integration in the workplace and host society.

Moreover, IOM informs migrant workers of the risks and realities associated with labour migration and works to improve migrants’ access to information on immigration, labour legislation, and integration in Ukraine as well as numerous other key issues, through its seven Centres for Migrant Advice (CMAs) throughout the country (see http://www.migrantinfo.org.ua/). Since 2005, the CMAs have assisted over 110,000 migrants.

IOM also administrates the web portal of the Söderköping Process, which serves as a bilingual information gathering tool on key EU policy regulations, research papers and best practices on asylum, migration and border management (see http://www.soderkoping.org.ua/).

Following internationally accepted standards and best practices, IOM Ukraine’s institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system is led by a dedicated M&E Unit, providing guidance and ensuring Mission-wide compliance throughout all programme areas with an aim to embed impact-driven programming. The Mission’s M&E framework is accompanied by an institutionalized complaints-handling system, beneficiary satisfaction measurement tools, as well as transparency and anticorruption mechanisms.

Last updated:
Main text: October 2011
Facts and figures: April 2012