A recent poll conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that the situation of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic has improved in recent months. The poll, which was part of the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) project, was conducted in November of last year and involved interviews with 1,384 Ukrainian adults with temporary protection status in 30 towns and villages across nine regions of the Czech Republic.

The results of the poll showed that nearly three-quarters of the refugees were planning to return to Ukraine, while one-quarter wanted to stay in the Czech Republic. The respondents mainly chose the Czech Republic as their destination because they had friends and relatives here, and some also joined others who had already left for the Czech Republic. Out of the refugees, 73% were from towns, while the rest were from the countryside. Nearly half of the respondents came from the occupied eastern areas of Ukraine, and one-tenth came from Kyiv.

The poll also revealed that the number of refugees who could not cover their living costs had decreased from almost half to one-quarter. Three-quarters of the refugees had enough finances to secure their livelihood, with one-quarter receiving welfare payments and one-fifth having income from a job. Meanwhile, the number of refugees in work was gradually increasing, with 34% already having a job and 43% looking for one.

Additionally, the poll showed that half of the respondents had children, with one-fifth of the children being under five years old. 17% of the women were widows, and 4% of the men were widowers, while one-quarter of the men and 15% of the women were over 60 years old.

In conclusion, the results of the poll suggest that the situation of Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic has improved in recent months. With a growing number of refugees finding jobs, and the number of those who could not cover their living costs decreasing, it seems that the refugees are gradually adjusting to life in the Czech Republic. However, it is also evident that the majority of the refugees are still planning to return to Ukraine, showing the importance of finding a long-term solution to the conflict and displacement crisis in Ukraine.

Article by Prague Forum