24 February marked one year since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, which displaced a third of the population of this country and triggered the largest wave of refugees in Europe since World War II. Millions of people have been forced to flee Ukraine and over 100,000 have requested temporary refuge in Slovakia.

From the very first days, IOM has been providing support and immediate assistance to war-affected populations arriving in Slovakia with direct assistance at border points of entry and dedicated centres and remote counselling. Furthermore, they received support with temporary accommodation, material and food humanitarian aid, and mental health and psychosocial support.

In addition, IOM builds capacities of frontline workers in counter-trafficking and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

To support the long-term inclusion of Ukrainian nationals in Slovakia, IOM provides them with legal, social and job counselling, organizes Slovak language courses and provides other assistance.

A few numbers – during 12 months, IOM Slovakia has:

• provided face-to-face and online assistance to more than 20,000 people from Ukraine,
• dispatched more than 14,200 tons of humanitarian aid,
• trained over 880 frontline workers in counter-trafficking and prevention of sexual exploitation,
• secured temporary accommodation for over 700 people from Ukraine, and
• provided mental health and psychosocial support, in partnership with our implementation partner IPčko, to more than 8,100 people.

It is worth reading:

How IOM Slovakia assists Ukraine and people from Ukraine in Slovakia

Ukraine: IOM Response 2022-2023 (IOM global website)

Infosheet: Ukraine: IOM Slovakia Response in 12 months

Story: Living in the Moment: Ukrainians Find Hope in Slovakia Away from Shelling and War

Story: “The Heart Wants What It Wants”: A Mother Comes to Grips with a New Reality

Diary from borders: Ukrainian family of five reunited and found peace in Slovakia

IOM Frontline Worker: I realized value of life, freedom, and safety