Video: Longitudinal Study by IMPACT with Support of the Ukrainian Red Cross

The most common reasons for Ukrainian refugees to return to Ukraine, especially among those returning to their hometowns, are emotional factors such as homesickness and the desire to reunite with family.

These findings, along with the reasons for refugee returns, are derived from a longitudinal study that IMPACT has conducted since March 2022 with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross. The results were presented during the event titled ‘Current Situation and Prospects for Refugees from Ukraine: From Emergency Response and Protection to Return and (Re)integration’.
Refugees living abroad with low incomes and in temporary accommodation are more likely to return. Difficulties with housing and employment are the most common factors among those who have returned to Ukraine but cannot go back to their hometowns.

While a significant number of refugees have chosen to return to Ukraine, the ongoing war makes it dangerous to do so. As of the beginning of 2024, approximately 6.2 million refugees from Ukraine remain in various countries around the world, with the majority seeking protection in Europe.

It is worth noting that since March 2022, IMPACT has been striving to understand the experiences of those who fled abroad in response to the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, including their mobility patterns, integration trajectories, and intentions to return. The current study provides insights into how these factors change over time. To accomplish this, IMPACT conducts a monthly telephone survey of 5,000 refugee and returnee respondents.

The study is currently funded by USAID and IFRC (previous phases were financed by the Belgian Red Cross, the German Red Cross, and Save the Children), and is supported and conducted in partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross.