IOM has conducted face-to-face surveys with Ukrainian refugees and third country nationals (TCNs) fleeing the war in Ukraine and arriving in Slovakia. The analysis of a first round of 161 surveys on displacement, people’s needs and intentions – collected between 9 and 30 March 2022 – were published in the first report from Slovakia.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, IOM in Slovakia has been expanding the use of its official data collection tool – the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) – to three border crossing points, including Vyšné Nemecké, Ubľa, Veľké Slemence, to one Registration Centre in Michalovce and one Hotspot in Košice. So far, IOM has collected over 500 surveys on the profiles, mobility intentions, needs and vulnerabilities of affected populations fleeing Ukraine and arriving in Slovakia.

IOM’s displacement tracking matrix (DTM) team in Slovakia collects data for multisectoral needs assessments and intention surveys in the country. Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2022.

Top findings of the report

Means of transportation

The most common means of transportation to enter Slovakia were buses or minivans (49 per cent), private cars (23 per cent) and trains (18 per cent). Ten per cent of those interviewed entered Slovakia by foot.

Gender

Of 161 interviewed, 88 per cent were women and girls and 12 per cent male.

Regions of origin

The top regions of origin in Ukraine were Kyiv (25 per cent), Donetsk (16 per cent), Kharkiv (16 per cent) and Dnipropetrovsk (13 per cent).

Intended destination

More than half (57 per cent) of the respondents reported Slovakia as their intended destination. For about 7 per cent of those surveyed, the destination was not known. Among other intended destinations were Germany (14 per cent), Italy (4 per cent), Czechia (4 per cent), Poland (2 per cent) and a range of other countries in Europe (12 per cent).

Intention to return

More than two-thirds (68 per cent) reported the intention to return to Ukraine in the long term, as soon as it is safe. Nevertheless, most individuals surveyed were unable to outline the planned length of stay in the country at the time of the interview.

Where to stay in Slovakia

While in Slovakia, 34 per cent of the respondents planned to stay in a reception centre, 10 per cent with friends, 9 per cent with relatives and 9 per cent in private accommodation. The rest did not know yet or preferred not to disclose this information at the time of the interview.

Main needs identified

Transportation, communication with others in Ukraine and information, food assistance, support with accommodation and financial support were the main needs expressed by those surveyed.

Read the report:

Slovakia – DISPLACEMENT SURVEYS: Ukrainian Refugees and Third-Country Nationals (09-30 March 2022)

With support:

The expansion of IOM’s DTM activities in Slovakia and other countries neighboring Ukraine was made possible with financial support from the Council of Europe Development Bank, German Federal Foreign Office, Government of Japan, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and United States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Read more:

Website on Ukraine: IOM Response 2022.

IOM Appeals for USD 350 Million to Support Response to Ukraine Crisis