Sixty percent of IDPs in Ukraine lost their jobs - IOM survey

MOSCOW. Aug 3 (Interfax) - Sixty percent of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine who were employed before displacement have lost their job, according to the findings of a survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from 17 to 23 July.

Nine percent of IDPs have had no income since February 24, and 35% said their household income has been less than 5,000 hryvni per month, which is 1,500 hryvni less than the minimum wage in Ukraine, the survey results show. The situation with IDPs' employment remains quite critical and is one of the reasons pushing people to return, the IOM said.

"Over 6.6 million people are internally displaced in Ukraine, according to the latest survey. The share of displaced population represents 15% of Ukraine's general population and has slightly grown from the end of June when IOM assessed the number of IDPs at about 6.3 million. The recent movements were predominantly recorded from the east, south and north of Ukraine," the IOM said.

At the same time, 5.5 million people who were previously displaced have returned home. Most of them were displaced within Ukraine and 16% have returned from abroad. The key areas of return are Kyiv city and region, as well as Kharkiv, Odesa and Chernihiv regions.

IOM's survey also revealed pressing needs for winterization assistance among displaced persons, returnees and those who have never left their homes since 24 February.

"As many as 44% of all the respondents said they need support with heat-preserving repairs. More than one fourth of displaced persons fear needing to leave their current accommodation due to insufficient heating ahead of winter," the IOM said.