On June 20, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha participated in the opening of the photo exhibition "Providing HOPE away from HOME. 1994-2024: three decades of UNHCR supporting displaced and war-affected people in Ukraine." The event was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Ukraine.
The First Deputy Minister noted the fruitful cooperation between the Ukrainian side and UNHCR, which began with assisting Crimean Tatars in returning to Ukrainian Crimea in the 1990s and has been scaled up due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. The First Deputy Minister expressed his gratitude to UNHCR for its leadership in assisting Ukrainians suffering from Russian aggression: "The active work of UNHCR is important for Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. It includes financial support for more than 2 million Ukrainians, nearly 30 thousand repaired homes, humanitarian supplies and legal assistance. Behind each of these figures are real stories of our people, and we are grateful for this much-needed and timely support."
The MFA and UNHCR are working hand in hand to strengthen the capacity of the consular service to provide efficient, digital and modern services to Ukrainian citizens abroad. A joint initiative to develop an innovative online platform "Ukraine is Home" aims to pave the way for the dignified and sustainable return of Ukrainians.
"Our government recognizes people as the highest priority. It is essential not only to provide Ukrainians with all possible support during their forced displacement but also to create conditions for preserving their identity and returning with dignity. We are convinced that support geared towards the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine directly contributes to enabling displaced Ukrainians to return home. At the same time, the 30th anniversary of UNHCR's presence in Ukraine shows that the challenges are long-lasting and large-scale," emphasized the First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.