After the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014, in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine. This has resulted in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 31 December 2023, over 50,000 refugees from Ukraine remained in Estonia, around 80% of whom were women and children. The majority of the displaced were from southeastern Ukraine. An IOM survey conducted in the second quarter of 2023 showed that 87% intended to stay in the country for the foreseeable future.
Since March 2022, over 57,000 people have applied for temporary protection status in Estonia. This status grants refugees from Ukraine access to temporary accommodation, free public transportation, and long-term healthcare, work, and education services.
The main reported needs are employment opportunities, access to affordable housing, and support for people with serious medical conditions and disabilities. Language barriers remain a constraint to integration with the host community for some refugees.
(CFR accessed 23/11/2023, UNHCR accessed 29/01/2024, Estonian Refugee Council accessed 17/10/2023, IOM 03/01/2024, UNHCR 15/01/2024)
After the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014, in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine. This has resulted in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 31 December 2023, over 50,000 refugees from Ukraine remained in Estonia, around 80% of whom were women and children. The majority of the displaced were from southeastern Ukraine. An IOM survey conducted in the second quarter of 2023 showed that 87% intended to stay in the country for the foreseeable future.
Since March 2022, over 57,000 people have applied for temporary protection status in Estonia. This status grants refugees from Ukraine access to temporary accommodation, free public transportation, and long-term healthcare, work, and education services.
The main reported needs are employment opportunities, access to affordable housing, and support for people with serious medical conditions and disabilities. Language barriers remain a constraint to integration with the host community for some refugees.
(CFR accessed 23/11/2023, UNHCR accessed 29/01/2024, Estonian Refugee Council accessed 17/10/2023, IOM 03/01/2024, UNHCR 15/01/2024)
