Almost 4.5 million Ukrainians have returned home

This is stated in the latest report of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Compared to May 3, the number has decreased by 11% and is the first recorded decrease in the number of IDPs since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.

New survey shows more people are returning home after being displaced

The number of people who have returned has reached 4.5 million as of May 23 . The most significant returns were recorded in the north of the country (1.7 million) and Kyiv (941 thousand). After the return of these territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine, people mostly return to big cities and their suburbs (59%). At the same time, only 17% of the respondents returned to the countryside.

Despite the fact that two-thirds of those who returned home from other regions of Ukraine intend to stay in their permanent places of residence, more than a third say that they still feel in danger. Nine percent of those surveyed said they were ready to leave home again because of the war.

As many return home to areas where intense fighting has taken place, their needs for repairs are becoming more urgent. More than a third of respondents in the central regions of Ukraine and 21% of those who returned to the northern regions reported that they needed repair materials.

The study also confirmed the acute crisis in which the migrants found themselves due to lack of livelihoods .

While the duration of the war has crossed the 100-day milestone, 64% of those who had a job before displacement have now lost their jobs. One in five IDPs surveyed reported no income.

Due to the lack or significant reduction in income, the largest number of IDPs (over 77%) prefer cash support, which helps them meet their basic needs and access goods and services.