Since the beginning of the Russian full invasion in 2022, the Chernivtsi Oblast in western Ukraine has become a significant reception and transit region for internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to regional authorities and international organizations, approximately 100,000 IDPs currently live in the region, representing about 10% of the population. Many are women with children, elderly people, or people with disabilities who have had to leave their homes. In addition to challenges such as housing, employment, and access to social services, there are primarily psychosocial burdens resulting from experiences of war, displacement, and the loss of relatives. International organizations such as the UNHCR emphasize the importance of integration, counseling, and psychosocial support services.

Another target group is veterans. Over 7,700 war participants are registered in the Chernivtsi Oblast, including more than 1,300 people with war-related disabilities. Many of them need support with social and work reintegration as well as coping with psychological stress like post-traumatic stress symptoms. Local civil society organizations provide important support work, but often have limited resources and are only partially networked. There is a lack of exchange, training, and digital infrastructure. This results in a need to strengthen NGOs through networking, capacity building, and digital structures. Data sources include statistics from regional authorities as well as reports from UNHCR, UNDP, and Ukrainian NGOs.