The second All-Ukrainian Forum of IDP Councils is taking place in Kyiv. Participants will discuss advocating for the rights and interests of internally displaced persons. They will also summarize the first results of IDP Council work and identify future activities.

Stabilization Support Services organized the event with the Ministry of Reintegration the United Nations Refugee Agency in Ukraine (UNHCR) and the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX in Ukraine).

Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk welcomed the forum participants and took part in a panel discussion on supporting and protecting displaced persons.

“I’m grateful to the IDP Councils. You’re professional, motivated, and persistent. Currently, 873 such centers are registered in Ukraine. This is about 20 thousand active members of IDP Councils. In a few years, you’ve become a force,” said Iryna Vereshchuk.

The mission of the IDP Councils is to advocate for the rights and interests of internally displaced persons systematically and professionally. The ultimate goal is to facilitate their integration into the communities to which they came or those to which they will return.

The Vice Prime Minister also noted that there are approximately 5 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine, and they are seeking assistance from the IDP Councils, as well as from the President, Government, and Parliament.

“Internally displaced persons rely on our assistance. By working together, we can achieve success,” Iryna Vereshchuk stated.