“We left home but didn’t find safety”: what a survey of evacuees from Donetsk region reveals

An analysis of evacuation experiences that should shape new approaches to supporting internally displaced persons in Ukraine.

The NGO “Responsible Citizens,” together with its partners, conducted an extensive survey among residents of the Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk communities in Donetsk Oblast who were forced to flee their homes in the fall of 2024. The study involved 466 individuals who had received assistance from the organization, aiming not just to gather facts but to amplify voices—those often lost in the noise of statistics.

“Evacuation is not just logistics. It’s a painful rupture of life. To be truly helpful, we must understand not only where people are going but what they’re losing and what they’re seeking,” says Enrique Menendez, Director of Projects and Programs at “Responsible Citizens.”

Where and How People Are Leaving

82% of respondents from the Pokrovsk community and 69% from Myrnohrad left their homes within three months of the evacuation announcement. Most headed to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, especially those with children. At the same time, nearly half had relocated only once since 2022, indicating a depletion of resources for new beginnings.

Challenges During Evacuation
57% of respondents faced difficulties. The most common issues included long travel times, overcrowded transportation, and a lack of accommodations for people with disabilities.
Among specific problems, respondents without children more frequently (18%) noted the absence of conditions for evacuating people with disabilities. Given that one-third of households include individuals with disabilities, this issue demands urgent attention.
Only 4% used evacuation transport provided by authorities. The rest managed on their own.

Housing and Adaptation
After evacuation, 47% of respondents live in houses or parts of houses, 45% in apartments, and only 5% in temporary shelters. Myrnohrad residents more often choose apartments, while those from Pokrovsk opt for private houses, possibly due to housing availability in different regions.

However, adaptation comes with significant challenges:

• 56% consider rent too expensive;
• 27% lack funds for basic needs (food, medicine, clothing);
• 23% face a shortage of rental options;
• 21% cannot find work.

“Without housing and stable income, there’s no integration—only temporariness, in which thousands who fled their homes are stuck. War creates displaced persons, but it’s up to society to build new foundations and conditions for families to adapt to new lives,” Menendez adds.

Needs in New Locations

The most pressing needs of evacuees include:

• Rent payment (51%, especially in Myrnohrad—63%);
• Utility bills (44%, more often in Myrnohrad—62%);
• Food (35%);
• Medicine (30%, especially among those without children—50%);
• Hygiene products (27%, more often in Pokrovsk—36%).

These findings highlight the need for targeted financial and material support for IDPs, as well as the development of employment programs.

What About Those Who Stayed?
Among those still in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, only 19% plan to leave. 52% cited direct risks from hostilities as the main condition for evacuation, but 7% say they won’t leave under any circumstances. They need not only informational but also psychological support.

Conclusions
“This study isn’t just numbers—it’s the stories of people seeking safety, stability, and a chance to start anew amid war. The data shows that most evacuees face numerous barriers. Yet we also see their resilience: they’re ready to integrate if given support. Without stronger coordination between the state, communities, and international partners, we risk leaving thousands of families in uncertainty. Society must unite now—from creating affordable housing to developing employment and psychological support programs. We call on authorities, journalists, and media not only to pay attention to these findings but to become drivers of change, working together to create effective programs for IDPs. Every step in this direction is a chance to restore dignity and hope,” concludes Enrique Menendez, Director of Projects and Programs at “Responsible Citizens.”

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