Attachments
A WORD FROM THE REGIONAL REFUGEE COORDINATOR
Philippe Leclerc
Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Ukraine Situation
UNHCR, Regional Director for Europe
The war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year, has triggered the largest displacement crisis in Europe since World War II, prompting a regional refugee response of unprecedented scale. Since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, over 6.8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally, with the overwhelming majority—92 percent—seeking safety in Europe. This crisis has mobilized an extraordinary collective effort, as host governments, local authorities, national and local civil society, and international partners have worked together to address the urgent needs of those fleeing the conflict.
This current Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) has been developed in an increasingly complex and fluid context and the situation on the ground has the potential to radically change during next two years. Partners will remain adaptive and responsive to these changes and this Plan will be revised accordingly as needed. It should be read alongside the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which outlines the humanitarian interventions within Ukraine itself.
As the regional response enters a new phase in 2025-2026, it reflects a shift toward a more sustainable, long-term approach. Host governments, which have led the response since the beginning, are increasingly including refugees into their national systems, and the RRP offers targeted support to strengthen these efforts. This iteration of the RRP prioritizes ensuring that refugees have effective access to legal status and rights, fostering socio-economic inclusion, addressing the specific vulnerabilities of certain groups, promoting social cohesion between refugees and host communities and ensuring government ownership and localization of the response.
The application of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), which continues in the European Union until at least March 2026, has provided a critical framework for refugee protection. However, as this deadline approaches, discussions are underway to determine what comes next. The 2025- 2026 RRP focuses on supporting governments as they prepare for these deliberations, advocating for a coordinated approach that ensures continued legal certainty and access to protection for refugees from Ukraine for as long as is necessary.
Whilst some refugees have decided to go back to Ukraine, UNHCR intentions monitoring indicates that the ongoing international armed conflict remains the most significant barrier to return. It is important to continue supporting individuals to reach well informed and truly independent decisions until conditions permit larger scale safe, dignified and sustainable returns. Providing access to comprehensive, real-time information on access to legal status and assistance, both in host countries and inside Ukraine, will remain a key part of supporting individual, voluntary decisions on whether to remain or to return. This includes through the Ukraine is Home digital platform. Refugees should continue to be reassured that they can engage in short term visits to Ukraine to visit family, check on property and maintain important connections to the wider community and to their culture – all of which have been shown to positively influence longer term decisions to return. The situation of the most vulnerable refugees requires specific attention and support to mitigate against the risk of premature return due to challenges supporting themselves in host countries.
In this context, the RRP partners are committed to ensuring that refugees can access legal status and rights without disruption, particularly those from vulnerable groups who may face additional barriers. Efforts are also directed at enhancing refugees' inclusion in national systems, such as employment, social protection, healthcare, and education. By providing practical support, including job-matching and skills development, the RRP seeks to increase self-reliance among refugees, helping them become more independent while contributing to their host communities.
Targeted assistance remains crucial for the most vulnerable refugees, ensuring that those with specific needs are not left behind as the response evolves. This plan also recognizes the importance of addressing social cohesion, as host communities continue to show remarkable solidarity despite increasing economic pressures and housing shortages. By fostering mutual understanding, the RRP aims to further strengthen the strong relationships that have developed between refugees and their host communities.
The 2025-2026 RRP is closely aligned with national strategies and is underpinned by the principles of partnership, equality, and transparency. It supports the leadership of host governments while emphasizing the importance of localizing the response. National and local civil society organizations, as well as refugee-led groups, play a central role in this plan, ensuring that the response is tailored to the specific needs of communities. As the refugee situation becomes more protracted, the focus is on sustainable, long-term responses that empower refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity while making meaningful contributions to the societies that have welcomed them.