Internal displacement

Between 13 July and 12 August 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted Round 17 of the General Population Survey (GPS), a highly representative assessment of internal displacement in Ukraine. The data presented in this report was commissioned by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and collected by 51 enumerators employed by Multicultural Insights through screener phone-based interviews with 40,000 randomly selected respondents and follow-up interviews with 1,488 IDPs, 1,188 returnees, and 1,800 residents, using the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) method, and a random digit dial (RDD) approach. 

This report provides the main findings from Round 17 of the GPS, including detailed insights into population figures, displacement flows and mobility intentions, demographic profiles, household composition and vulnerabilities, and needs of the displaced population, to facilitate evidence-based decision-making on strategic, technical, and programmatic aspects of the response and recovery efforts in Ukraine. 

The General Population Survey is a highly representative assessment with 40,000 random respondents interviewed, providing population data and enabling an assessment of the geographic distribution of the war-affected populations across the country.

From March 2022 to January 2024, IOM Ukraine’s Data and Analytics Unit has successfully carried out 17 rounds of the General Population Survey. Initially carried out every two months (R1-R12), the survey shifted to a quarterly frequency (R13 onwards). In June 2024, the survey methodology was further adapted to produce quarterly representative data at the oblast level, allowing for more localized analysis.

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) collected data on Ukrainian nationals and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) who crossed back to Ukraine from Poland, either for a temporary stay or permanent return after a period of displacement abroad. The survey focuses on the return intentions, duration of displacement, destinations, assistance, and experiences of discrimination of respondents. A total of 215 surveys were collected between April and June 2024, all of which were completed by Ukrainian nationals. Consequently, the analysis presented in this
report is solely based on the responses. 

Key findings:

• 66% per cent of respondents were returning for a short-visit, 20% were prospective returnees and 14% were unsure
• Top countries of stay: Poland (45%), Germany (22%), Czechia (13%)
• Oblasts of origin: 60% from City of Kyiv, Dnipropetrovska, Zaporizka, Kharkivska, Odeska
• 85% of respondents were returning to their oblast of the origin
• 65% received aid while abroad
• Top 5 needs: safety (41%), financial support (35%), information (21%), health (21%) and medicine (19%)

From 11 March to 30 April, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in Latvia interviewed 41 individuals as part of the Crossing Back Survey. The results from these interviews are presented in the following pages. This survey presents findings on assistance, length of stay and destinations of refugees from Ukraine who intended to travel through the Russian Federation to reach occupied areas in Ukraine.

Key findings:

• 41 Ukrainian respondents: 78% women, 22% men.
• Top oblasts of residence: Donetska (36%), Kharkivska (15%), Luhanska (15%), Zakarpatska (15%), Zaporizka (7%).
• Main countries of stay: Poland (63%), Norway (34%), Germany (3%).
• Reasons to return to Ukraine: meeting family (76%), helping family (11%), homesickness (10%), reunification (3%).
• Immediate needs upon return: financial support (88%), food supply (56%), health services (17%), medicines (15%), clothes and shoes (12%),communication services (12%).

This latest round of Emergency Trends Tracking was initiated in April 2024 to monitor displacements movements during the Gu rainy season. Districts covered in this round include Afgooye, Afmadow, Baardheere, Baidoa, Balcad, Belet Weyne, Belet Xaawo, Cabudwaaq, Dayniile, Dhuusamarreeb, Doolow, Gaalkacyo, Garoowe, Hodan, Jamaame, Jowhar, Kahda, Kismaayo, and Luuq. ETT is a crisis-based tool that tracks sudden displacement triggered by specific events or emerging crises.

The objective of ETT is to help prioritize humanitarian response and to enable partners to deliver rapid assistance. Based on previous shock induced displacement patterns, the humanitarian community expects that people will continue to move toward urban areas in search of humanitarian services. Consequently, the ETT coverage focuses on the main urban centers and surrounding villages for each assessed district. The data is collected through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) at the location level, from Sunday to Wednesday every week. It includes information on new arrivals, numbers and demographic of IDPs, reasons for displacement, intentions, humanitarian assistance and priority needs among others.

To facilitate the joint analysis of the CCCM (Camp Coordination and Camp Management) Cluster’s New Arrivals Tracker (NAT) and ETT data, the assistance and needs indicators are identical in both tools.

The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix collected data through Surveys with Refugees in the Ukraine Response region from April to June 2024. In the Republic of Moldova, a total of 1,892 surveys were collected. This report focuses on the characteristics, socio-demographic composition, challenges, and needs of the displaced population in the Republic of Moldova, with a particular emphasis on healthcare and the medical needs of the respondents.

Key findings:

• 43% of respondents have or live with people with specific needs or serious medical conditions, while 5% reported living with a pregnant or lactating women.
• Main health issues for women include chronic disease or serious medical conditions (41%), visual impairment (18%), difficulty walking (13%), and hearing impairment (6%).
• Main health issues for men include chronic disease or serious medical conditions (53%), visual impairment (17%), difficulty walking (15%), and hearing impairment (7%).
• Health related needs reported by the respondents include medication (41%), health services (38%), and mental and psychosocial support (2%).
• The most reported barriers to accessing health care were costs (57%), long queues (33%), unavailable services (19%), language barrier (18%), and lack of documents (10%).

IOM Yemen DTM's Rapid Displacement Tracking (RDT) tool collects data on estimated numbers of households forced to flee on a daily basis from their locations of origin or displacement, allowing for regular reporting of new displacements in terms of estimated numbers, geography, and needs. It also tracks returnees who returned to their location of origin.

From 1 January to 31 August 2024, IOM Yemen DTM tracked 2,319 households (HH) (13,914 Individuals) who experienced displacement at least once.

Between 25 and 31 August 2024, IOM Yemen DTM tracked 40 households (240 individuals) displaced at least once. The majority of people moved into/within the following governorates and districts:

• Ma'rib (26 HHs) – Ma'rib City (21 HHs), Ma'rib (4 HHs), Raghwan (1 HH) districts. Most displacements in the governorate originated from Ta'iz and Al Hodeidah.
• Al Hodeidah (9 HHs) – Al Khukhah (7 HHs), Hays (2 HHs) districts. Most displacements in the governorate originated from Al Hodeidah and Taiz.
• Taiz (5 HH) – Al Makha (4 HHs), Al Misrakh (1 HH) districts. Most displacements in the governorate originated from Al Hodeidah.

The majority of people moved from the following governorates and districts:

• Al Hodeidah (16 HHs) – At Tuhayta (4 HHs), Hays (4 HHs), Al Jarrahi (2 HHs) districts.
• Ta'iz (6 HHs) – At Taiziyah (2 HHs), Maqbanah (2 HHs), Al Makha (1 HH) districts.
• Al Mahwit (4 HHs) – At Tawilah (2 HHs), Melhan (2 HHs) districts.

IOM identified 45 additional households displaced in the previous reporting period, which covered 18 - 24 August 2024, in the governorates of Al Hodeidah (25 HHs), Ta'iz (18 HHs), and Ma'rib (2 HHs). These figures have been added to the cumulative displacement total recorded since the beginning of the year.

DTM implements the Baseline Mobility Assessment (BMA) in Tajikistan to track mobility, provide information on population estimates, geographic distribution of migrant workers and return migrants, reasons for migration and countries of return. Data is collected at the village level from key informants and direct observations.

The Baseline Mobility Assessment (BMA) was conducted in all five provinces in 12 districts/cities of Tajikistan (including Ismoili Somoni, Sino, Firdawsi, Shohmansur districts of Dushanbe city, Vahdat city, Rudaki district of Districts of Central Subordination, Khujand city of Sughd region, Bokhtar, Kulob cities and Panj district of Khatlon region, Khorugh city and Vanj district of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). This assessment covered 948 communities through focus group discussions with 3,288 key informants. Based on the key informants' estimates, 1,060 international migrant workers were hosted in the assessed communities in Tajikistan during 2020 and April 2024. Concurrently, 3,371 internal migrants were hosted in the assessed communities and 274,313 Tajik nationals were reported to be residing abroad as international migrants. In addition, 334,299 return migrants returned from abroad.