Social policy of central and eastern european countries towards ukrainian refugees: challenges, adaptation and paths to reform

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the social policy of Central and Eastern European countries regarding Ukrainian refugees.
The forms and types of social assistance that Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany provided to Ukrainian refugees were considered: in the search for housing and work, the provision of certain benefits and payments, psychological counseling, material assistance with clothing, food and other basic necessities, medical insurance, language learning and education.
Examples of current reduction of certain forms of social assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the form of financial assistance, termination of free accommodation programs, restriction of access to jobs, termination of free medical care, restriction of access to education are given.
The reasons for this process are analyzed: limited resources, economic problems, political changes, and the negative attitude of certain sections of the local population towards refugees.
Ways to improve the refugee support system are proposed, in particular:
• to strengthen the coordination of efforts between state, local authorities and the public sector regarding the regulation and provision of comprehensive support to Ukrainian refugees;
• establish programs for professional retraining and employment of Ukrainians, taking into account their skills and experience;
• to develop comprehensive programs of medical and psychological assistance aimed at overcoming injuries and better adaptation of displaced persons;
• create support mechanisms for vulnerable groups to ensure their special needs; involve the resettled people themselves in the process of providing assistance, stimulating their active participation and responsibility;
• promote tolerance and counteract discrimination and xenophobia among the local population towards Ukrainian immigrants.