The delegation of the Ombudsman’s Office got acquainted with the living conditions and problems of Ukrainians in the Netherlands
With the beginning of a full-scale war, thousands of Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes, seeking refuge in safer countries. One of them was the Netherlands, which accepted more than 120,000 Ukrainian citizens. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, only about 5 thousand Ukrainians lived in this country, mainly for the purpose of employment. The war changed these statistics dramatically, making the Netherlands one of the main destinations for forcibly displaced people.
The delegation of the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine met with representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in the Netherlands and local Ukrainians to study their living conditions, problems and expectations. About this reported Ombudsman’s office on Facebook.
This meeting took place within the scope of the study “Forcibly Displaced Abroad”, which is implemented in cooperation with the Council of Europe. The main goal of the study is to collect data on the situation of Ukrainians abroad and to create conditions for their return home after the end of the war.
What problems concern Ukrainians in the Netherlands
At the meeting, a number of problems faced by Ukrainian citizens were outlined:
Insufficient integration into society
Representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine noted that the current policy of the Dutch government is mostly aimed at temporary support of Ukrainians, and not at their full integration into society. However, discussions continue regarding the introduction of initiatives to retrain citizens for the future reconstruction of Ukraine.
Limited access to consular services
One of the biggest difficulties voiced by the participants is the long queues for obtaining consular services. It is difficult for Ukrainians to make an appointment at the embassy, which makes it difficult to obtain documents or other administrative services.
Insufficient communication with the Ukrainian authorities
Many Ukrainians complain about insufficient communication with the state authorities of Ukraine, which causes difficulties in solving issues related to documents or legal assistance.
What the Netherlands offers for Ukrainians
Despite these problems, the Netherlands provides significant support to Ukrainian refugees thanks to a decentralized management system. At the local level, citizens can get help in solving a number of issues, including:
- Dwelling. Ukrainians are provided with temporary shelters or assistance in finding housing.
- Interpreter services. To facilitate communication with local authorities, Ukrainians can use the services of an interpreter.
- Social support. Assistance in employment, retraining or obtaining access to medical services.
It was also noted that Ukrainians have the opportunity to participate in surveys organized by the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure better protection of their rights and improve living conditions.
What awaits Ukrainians next
During the meeting, the issue of returning Ukrainians home after the end of the war was discussed. An important direction is the development of retraining programs to prepare people for the future reconstruction of the country. Representatives of the embassy and the Ukrainian authorities are also working on solving problems of access to consular services and improving communication with citizens.
Ukrainians abroad can help collect data for the Office of the Ombudsman by filling out special questionnaires. This will contribute to the improvement of living conditions and the development of more effective support programs.
The Netherlands has become an important haven for Ukrainian refugees seeking temporary protection. Although the support system in the country functions effectively, many questions remain open. The joint work of the Ukrainian authorities, international organizations and citizens themselves can create conditions for improving the lives of displaced persons and ensure a successful return home after the war.
