Ukraine's Vulnerable Population: Human Rights First's Report Reveals Disastrous Situation for Internally Displaced Persons with Disabilities

Ukraine's ongoing conflict has left countless individuals without adequate housing, care, or protection. For people with disabilities, the situation is particularly dire. Human Rights First's latest report, "Nowhere to Go: Internally Displaced People with Disabilities in Ukraine," sheds light on the inaccessible shelters, overcrowded facilities, and burdensome bureaucracy faced by those fleeing war-torn regions. The report draws on 20 research trips to Ukraine's eastern front since 2022 and dozens of interviews with human rights defenders, volunteers, and evacuees.

Key Takeaways:

• The report finds that state-run housing is at full capacity, and applications for disability-related accommodations are impeded by complex bureaucratic processes.
• Most bomb shelters in frontline regions are physically inaccessible to people with mobility challenges, with only one of Kharkiv's 30 metro stations accessible to wheelchair users.
• HRDs estimate that 40% of those evacuated by volunteer teams in Kharkiv have mobility impairments.
• Evacuation journeys from Russian-occupied areas are dangerous, costly, and often impossible for those with disabilities.
• IDPs with disabilities are often separated from family members or forced into under-resourced institutions due to a lack of accessible options.
• The report calls for donors to visit frontline areas to assess the situation for themselves and to fund local efforts to evacuate and assist civilians with disabilities.
• Authorities must reform housing and social service processes to ensure shelters and infrastructure are accessible.
• Ukraine's application to join the European Union depends on meeting certain standards for disability rights.

Statistics:

• 40% of those evacuated by volunteer teams in Kharkiv have mobility impairments (HRDs estimate).
• Only one of Kharkiv's 30 metro stations is accessible to wheelchair users.
• Since 2022, Human Rights First has conducted 20 research trips to Ukraine's eastern front.
• Dozens of interviews with human rights defenders, volunteers, and evacuees were conducted for the report.

Sources:

• Human Rights First, "Nowhere to Go: Internally Displaced People with Disabilities in Ukraine" (press release), no date provided.
• Human Rights First, "Nowhere to Go: Internally Displaced People with Disabilities in Ukraine" (report), no date provided.