New York, NY, May 30, 2024 — A recent YouGov poll conducted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in the United States, Sweden, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom combined with data from Poland gathered by Opinia24, reveals that a significant majority of people support providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in their host country. These results show the continued public commitment to the humanitarian response, even as political rhetoric around refugees and international aid becomes contested during this year’s campaign season.
Among the polled were 1,232 Americans out of more than 7,400 people surveyed worldwide. The survey found that:
- 75% of Americans support the need to supply vitally needed food, water, and shelter inside Ukraine.
- 61% of Americans believe aid for reconstruction and repairing infrastructure is required.
- 62% of Americans value long-term funding for Ukrainian refugees worldwide, including the need for the international community to grant long-term residency in their host nation.
- The majority of Americans support providing recently-arrived Ukrainians with access to the labor market and the ability to work (52%), as well as access to educational and health services (62%).
- A plurality (44%) of Americans support displaced Ukrainians in the United States receiving a pathway to long-term residency. An additional 22% of the surveyed Americans remain undecided.
- Among over 7,400 people surveyed worldwide, a significant majority believe that their countries should provide refugees from Ukraine with housing, food, basic needs, education, and health services, followed by the ability to work.
Hans Van de Weerd, IRC Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration, said:
“The data from this recent polling shows what we have seen in our work - Americans support refugees and want to help Ukrainian refugees thrive in and contribute to their new communities. We see this locally in our resettlement programs through the Uniting for Ukraine program, which has welcomed over 190,000 Ukrainians as of the end of April and has received over 380,000 supporter applications. We also see this American spirit extend globally with the continued support for humanitarian aid to people inside Ukraine donating a total of $2 billion and counting. Ultimately, American action for displaced and conflict-affected people abroad overwhelmingly matters just as much as welcoming refugees at home.
"From Abilene to Wichita, Ukrainian refugees are proving their continued investment in the American economy every day. IRC programs help build a foundation for how people can rebuild their lives from conflict and thrive within their new communities. Even though the US currently provides temporary protections to most Ukrainians, we’re confident the support for long-term residency will grow as more Americans see how valued refugees are to American society.
“Last month’s congressional support of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and other global crises contexts also underscores America’s role in humanitarian action. Policymakers should reaffirm and match this international support and deliver durable, long-term solutions for Ukrainian refugees in the US and abroad.”
Alan Moseley, IRC Country Director for Poland and Ukraine, said:
“As voters head to the polls later this year, there's one thing they should keep in mind: normal life remains out of reach for millions of Ukrainians and ten years of conflict have affected every aspect of their lives. Over 14 million people inside the country require dedicated humanitarian aid, while the ongoing fighting continues to harm civilians, as shown by the recent events in Kharkiv.
“Two years ago, the world's response set a new standard of welcome and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. Now is the time to stay the course. As countries transition away from temporary protection mechanisms initiated at the onset of the escalation, they should develop durable solutions to support conflict-affected Ukrainians, ensuring that the most vulnerable people can still access the care they need.”
All survey data from respective countries is available for reference here. Please also find a visual data analysis available free of charge here © International Rescue Committee.
Notes to editors
Questions asked in the surveyed countries (YouGov and Opinia24):
Which, if any, of the following types of humanitarian support do you think are required by Ukraine at the present time?
- Aid for reconstructing and repairing infrastructure
- Providing food, water, medical aid and shelter
- Long term support for refugees and displaced people
Is required
Is not required
Don't know
Do you think your country should or should not be providing the following to help Ukrainian refugees?
- Providing housing, food and basic needs
- Access to the labor market and the ability to work in your country
- Access to education and health services
- Long term residency in your country
Should
Should not
Don't know
Sample size:
USA 1232 (YouGov)UK 2103 (YouGov) France 1005 (YouGov) Germany 2061 (YouGov)
Sweden 1009 (YouGov) Poland: 1000 (Opinia24)