{"id":13726,"date":"2025-03-04T08:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T08:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.migpolgroup.com\/?p=13726"},"modified":"2025-03-04T08:22:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T08:22:52","slug":"three-years-of-temporary-protection-urgent-need-for-long-term-solutions-for-displaced-ukrainians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.migpolgroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/04\/three-years-of-temporary-protection-urgent-need-for-long-term-solutions-for-displaced-ukrainians\/","title":{"rendered":"MPG and 100+ NGOs urge EU action for long-term solutions for displaced Ukrainians"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/div>[vc_column_text]Today marks three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive – a safe pathway which is currently benefiting more than 4.3 million<\/a> people forced to flee Ukraine. The TPD is a powerful demonstration of the EU\u2019s unity and solidarity in the face of a humanitarian crisis. However, the TPD is set to expire in March 2026 – just one year from now.<\/p>\n

Of the many challenges faced by people displaced from Ukraine, uncertainty about their legal status in the EU is among the most pressing.\u00a0This lack of clarity impacts nearly every aspect of life: from securing stable employment and arranging long-term housing, to planning children’s education. Predictability is necessary for people to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, a joint statement signed by 109 humanitarian and civil society organisations, <\/strong>calling on the EU to give people under temporary protection greater certainty by shifting from emergency measures to longer-term solutions. As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire and the country\u2019s future uncertain, the statement makes the following recommendations:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. We call on the EU to go beyond repeatedly renewing temporary protection and propose a coordinated and collective solution that would offer a more durable status and pathway to long-term residence.<\/strong> An EU-wide approach with strong EU leadership and coordination is vital to prevent a fragmented approach and people falling into irregularity, with vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected.<\/li>\n
  2. Another one-year extension of the temporary protection regime beyond March 2026 must be considered as an exceptional and interim measure to ensure the continuation of protection and to prevent displaced individuals from becoming undocumented, or falling into uncertainty and losing their jobs, education, housing, or healthcare. If this interim arrangement is necessary,<\/strong> we urge the European Commission to propose as soon as possible<\/u> a Council Implementation Decision extending the TPD until March 2027, while offering clarity on the future protection and residence status of people displaced from Ukraine.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. We call on Member States not to roll back support to people displaced from Ukraine, and to fully implement the provisions enshrined in the TPD.<\/strong> This includes ensuring full access to the rights and basic services it guarantees. It is essential that Member States respect their obligations regarding non-refoulement<\/em> and avoid any measures that could directly or indirectly result in premature returns, jeopardising the safety and well-being of those in need.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/h3>\n

    Full statement:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive: from emergency to longer-term solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Brussels, Belgium, 4 March 2025 \u2013 Today marks three years since the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive<\/a> (TPD), which provided a safe pathway to protection for millions<\/a> of people fleeing the war in Ukraine (according to the European Commission, as of December 2024, slightly more than 4.3 million non-EU citizens, who fled Ukraine as a consequence of the war were under temporary protection in the EU). It was a powerful demonstration of the EU\u2019s unity and solidarity in the face of a humanitarian crisis, and proved to be an effective emergency mechanism for responding to large arrivals of people in a humane and orderly way. It alleviated pressure on national asylum systems and provided displaced people with immediate and collective protection, including the right to reside, work, study, and access health care and social support in the EU.<\/p>\n

    The temporary protection regime is due to expire in March 2026, just one year away. Of the many challenges faced by people displaced from Ukraine, uncertainty about their legal status in the EU is among the most pressing. This lack of clarity impacts nearly every aspect of life: from securing stable employment and arranging long-term housing, to planning children’s education. Predictability is necessary for people to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. It is promising to see that post-TPD solutions are a priority for the Commission<\/a> and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU<\/a>. Three years on, it is essential that the EU\u2019s response to the needs of people displaced from Ukraine shifts from emergency measures to longer-term strategies and solutions.<\/p>\n

    In the meantime, some Member States \u2013 including Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy \u2013 have started developing pathways for people to transition out of temporary protection. However, many of these exit plans primarily rely on labour-based residence permits. Labour-based permits alone cannot be the answer, as many people covered by the TPD will not be able to meet the requirements. Not only does the proportion of temporary protection-holders who are employed vary greatly across Europe (from 8% in Hungary to 55% in the Netherlands<\/a>), but it will leave many people in a vulnerable situation behind, including some people with disabilities, students, the elderly, third-country nationals and stateless persons granted refugee or complementary protection in Ukraine, people who experience discrimination in the labour market (for example, people who have been racialised), and those who cannot work full-time because they are caring for children or infirm family members.<\/p>\n

    The ad-hoc solutions proposed by Member States also risk overlooking the status of individuals who may be displaced from Ukraine after March 2026, as they may not fall within the scope of any post-TPD measures, including family members of those already in the EU.<\/p>\n

    Unless these gaps are addressed, Member States\u2019 asylum systems could be overburdened once temporary protection ends, even though the TPD\u2019s express purpose is to prevent this. The fact that some Member States have frozen asylum applications from people who fall under the TPD increases this risk. An EU-wide and coordinated approach would be beneficial not only for people displaced from Ukraine, but also for the countries and communities where they live \u2013 limiting the financial and administrative burdens associated with individually determining the status of the more than 4.3 million people who currently benefit from temporary protection.<\/p>\n

    – We are calling on the EU to go beyond repeatedly renewing temporary protection and propose a coordinated and collective solution that would offer a more durable status and pathway to long-term residence. An EU-wide approach with strong EU leadership and coordination is vital to prevent a fragmented approach and people falling into irregularity, with vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected. <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Post-TPD solutions are long overdue. A collective of more than 130 civil society organisations welcomed the EU\u2019s previous extension of the temporary protection regime through to March 2026 to provide time for policymakers to define durable solutions while ensuring short-term stability for displaced people. However, unless work starts now<\/strong> to make tangible progress in implementing a coordinated transition out of temporary protection, another one-year extension may be the only option.<\/p>\n

    – Another one-year extension of the temporary protection regime beyond March 2026 must be considered as an exceptional and interim measure to ensure the continuation of protection and to prevent displaced individuals from becoming undocumented, or falling into uncertainty and losing their jobs, education, housing, or healthcare. If this interim arrangement is necessary, we urge the European Commission to propose as soon as possible<\/u> a Council Implementation Decision extending the TPD until March 2027, while offering clarity on the future protection and residence status of people displaced from Ukraine. <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Despite recent diplomatic discussions on the potential for renewed peace talks, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine<\/a> remains dire. There are daily reports<\/a> of shelling and airstrikes, even in cities and villages hundreds of kilometers from the frontline. Should the ceasefire be achieved any time soon, the damage to Ukraine\u2019s critical and civilian infrastructure<\/a> and widespread contamination from explosive ordnance will take years to repair, restore, and clear before the situation permits safe, truly voluntary, and durable returns. In this context, it is worrying to see that some host countries have begun or are considering scaling back their support to people displaced from Ukraine \u2013 for example, by limiting the duration of government-sponsored housing support, or by restricting its scope to people who come from specific regions in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

    – We call on Member States not to roll back support to people displaced from Ukraine, and to fully implement the provisions enshrined in the TPD. This includes ensuring full access to the rights and basic services it guarantees. It is essential that Member States respect their obligations regarding non-refoulement and avoid any measures that could directly or indirectly result in premature returns, jeopardising the safety and well-being of those in need.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Signatories:<\/p>\n

    All-Ukrainian NGO Coalition for People with Intellectual Disabilities
    \nAmnesty International
    \nAnimus Association Foundation
    \nAnti-Discrimination Center “Memorial-Brussels”
    \nARSIS Association for the Social Support of Youth
    \nAssociation for Integration and Migration
    \nASTI Luxembourg
    \nASTRA-Anti trafficking action
    \nBlue Door Education
    \nBridges over Borders e.V.
    \nCaritas Bulgaria
    \nCaritas Espa\u00f1ola
    \nCaritas Europa
    \nCaritas Hellas
    \nCenter for Legal Aid Voice in Bulgaria
    \nCentre for Peace Studies
    \nCentrum pro integraci cizinc\u016f, o. p. s.
    \nChurches\u00b4Commission for Migrants in Europe CCME
    \nClare Immigrant Support Centre
    \nCOFACE Families Europe
    \nCohort
    \nCoMensha
    \nConsortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations in the Czech Republic
    \nCult\u00far Migrant Centre
    \nCUSBU
    \nDanish Refugee Council
    \nDefence for Children In. Greece (DCI Greece)
    \nDiakonie \u010cCE – st\u0159edisko Z\u00e1padn\u00ed \u010cechy
    \nDiakonie Deutschland im Evangelischen Werk f\u00fcr Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V.
    \nDutch Council for Refugees
    \nEcumanical Council of finland
    \nELIL – European Lawyers in Lesvos
    \nENSIE
    \nEurodiaconia
    \nEuroMed Rights
    \nEuropean Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)
    \nEuropean Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless (FEANTSA)
    \nEuropean Network on Statelessness
    \nFairWork
    \nFenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
    \nFinnish Refugee Advice Centre
    \nForum r\u00e9fugi\u00e9s
    \nFoundation for the Ukrainian Community of Malta
    \nGreek Council for Refugees (GCR)
    \nGreek Forum of Migrants
    \nHIAS Europe
    \nHook Peninsula Friends of Ukraine
    \nICMC Europe – Share Network
    \nImmigrant Council of Ireland
    \nIniciativa Hlavak
    \nInter Alia
    \nInternational Rescue Committee
    \nJesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe
    \nJesuit Refugee Service Germany | Jesuiten-Fl\u00fcchtlingsdienst Deutschland
    \nJesuit Refugee Service Malta
    \nJRS France
    \nJRS Portugal
    \nJRS Romania
    \nKerk in Actie
    \nLa Cimade
    \nLa Strada International
    \nLDH (Ligue des droits de l’Homme)
    \nLGBT Ireland
    \nM\u00e9decins du Monde International Network
    \nMigrant Voice
    \nMigration Consortium
    \nMigration Policy Group
    \nMigrationsrat Berlin
    \nMissing Children Europe
    \nMonde des Possibles ASBL
    \nMujeres Supervivientes
    \nNESEHNUT\u00cd
    \nNeue Richtervereinigung – Zusammenschluss von Richterinnen und Richtern,
    \nStaatsanw\u00e4ltinnen und Staatsanw\u00e4lten e.V.
    \nNewBees
    \nNordic Ukraine Forum
    \nNowegian Refugee Council
    \nOpenEmbassy
    \nOPORA Foundation
    \nORBIT
    \nOxfam
    \nPATCHWORK, Association for immigrant families of persons with disabilities
    \nPayoke
    \nPeople in Need
    \nPICUM – Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
    \nPodilsky Centr Genderna Rada Khmelnytska Oblasna
    \nPRO ASYL
    \nRed Cross EU Office
    \nRefugees Welcome, Denmark
    \nRight to Protection Charitable Fund
    \nRomodrom, o.p.s.
    \nSave the Children
    \nScholars At Risk Europe
    \nSlovene Philanthropy
    \nSocial Platform
    \nSOFT tulip Foundation
    \nSOLIDAR
    \nSolidarityNow
    \nSOS Children’s Villages International
    \nSouth Tipperary Development Clg
    \nStichting LOS
    \nStichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF
    \nTerre des Hommes Deutschland e.V.
    \nThe Council of African and Caribbean Churches
    \nThe Open Doors Initiative
    \nUkraine Civil Society Forum (Ireland)
    \nVatra Psycho-Social Centre
    \nWest Limerick Resources CLG
    \nYoga and Sport with Refugees
    \n\u0413\u0440\u043e\u043c\u0430\u0434\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0430 \u041e\u0440\u0433\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0437\u0430\u0446\u0438\u044f ” \u0416\u0456\u043d\u043e\u0447\u0456\u0439 \u0446\u0435\u043d\u0442\u0440 ” \u041f\u0456\u0434\u0442\u0440\u0438\u043c\u043a\u0430 \u0417\u0430\u0445\u0438\u0441\u0442 \u0442\u0430 \u0422\u0443\u0440\u0431\u043e\u0442\u0430”[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

    About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)<\/span><\/h2>\n

    MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG\u2019s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Today marks three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive – a safe pathway which is currently benefiting more than 4.3 million people forced to flee Ukraine. The TPD is a powerful demonstration of the EU\u2019s unity and solidarity in the face of a humanitarian crisis. However, the TPD is set to expire…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":13746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[120,155,154],"post_series":[],"class_list":["post-13726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-european-union","tag-temporary-protection-directive","tag-ukraine","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t