London, UK, February 4, 2025 — Almost three years into a devastating war in Ukraine, the 18-month extension scheme opening on 4 February provides another glimmer of hope for displaced Ukrainians.
However, as humanitarian needs inside Ukraine continue to escalate, the uncertainty about the future makes it impossible for people to return to safety. Ukrainian families are still being displaced by relentless shelling as fighting advances toward their homes.
Those who have found a safe haven in the UK share that the lack of a clear roadmap for their stay in the country, compounded by worrying headlines from home, leaves them feeling anxious about their future.
Margarita Bondarenko, IRC Community Advisory Board member, said:
“The urgent need for a permanent solution for Ukrainian refugees is more pressing than ever.
Temporary status, while offering some form of security, has kept highly qualified Ukrainians from securing meaningful employment. Employers often overlook us in favor of candidates they see as more stable, despite our skills and potential. Meanwhile, many students have just begun their higher education, and now the question looms: Will they ever be able to complete it? The same uncertainty hangs over children in schools, as their futures are threatened by instability.
After nearly 3 years in a new country, many of us have begun to build lives—new friendships, new routines, new commitments. But the thought of losing it all again for some of us is unbearable. For young people especially, many of whom now speak English better than Ukrainian, a sudden upheaval can have profound effects on mental health and well-being, as they lose any sense of belonging they’ve worked so hard to create. For example, my daughter, together with her two local friends, has created a band and might have a future.
We are not just refugees. We are families, students, workers, and human beings with hopes, dreams, and aspirations. We deserve more than uncertainty. We deserve the stability of a permanent solution, one that will allow us to rebuild, thrive, and contribute to the societies that have taken us in.”
Denisa Delic, IRC UK Advocacy Director, said:
“The 18-month extension period is a window of opportunity to develop lasting solutions and ensure people can escape the limbo they currently face.
With no permanent scenarios in sight, Ukrainians are already at far greater risk of becoming homeless in the UK due to factors such as breakdowns in relationships with hosts, difficulties finding guarantors or funds for tenancy deposits, language barriers, compounded by challenges in navigating housing, education, or healthcare systems.
The UK government should explore options to help Ukrainian’s who are currently living in the UK on temporary schemes to transition into more stable statuses, ensuring they maintain access to rights, essential services, integration support, and safeguards against forced returns.”