Status of Internally Displaced Persons: Who Can Obtain the Certificate and How to Get It
As a result of Russia’s aggression and ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of citizens have been forced to leave their homes in search of safer regions within the country.
This phenomenon has led to a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who now require official documentation to confirm their status, enabling access to social benefits, housing programs, and legal protections.According to specialists from the ‘Legal Advisor for IDPs,’ there is a clear list of grounds under which individuals can obtain a certificate certifying their status.
The main criteria include displacement from territories where active hostilities are ongoing or temporarily occupied regions under Russian control.
This displacement must be justified by fears stemming from conflict, destruction or damage to housing, or situations where housing has become uninhabitable because of military actions or acts of terrorism.The right to receive the certificate is available to various categories of people, including children born within IDPs, minors without a legal guardian, military personnel who resided or served in conflict zones, students, and individuals serving sentences in detention centers who have registered residence in active conflict zones.
It is important to note that those who have moved within occupied territories do not qualify for this certificate, as it is intended only for those forced to leave active conflict zones.Furthermore, state authorities are continuously updating approaches to support IDPs by providing them with housing in state and communal facilities under preferential or free conditions.
This initiative aims to reduce social tension and help displaced individuals adapt to new environments by offering essential legal and housing assistance.