As of April 2017, IOM has assisted almost 138,000 vulnerable internally displaced persons and conflict-affected people in 24 regions of Ukraine. They were provided with cash assistance, medicine, hygiene items, clothes and shoes, household items, legal counselling and psychological support, as well as livelihood support.
The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service has started recruiting some 800 staff to serve at the two major entry points to Ukraine under a new IOM-supported initiative.
On the occasion of the International Day for Abolition of Slavery, the International Organization for Migration has opened in Kyiv a public installation DIMENSIONS3 to educate public on risks of human trafficking and motivate Ukrainian communities to join in the fight against human trafficking – a form of modern day slavery.
Ukrainian-born jazz pianist and composer Vadim Neselovskyi, who lives and works in the U.S., performed together with Laura Marti, a Ukrainian singer of Armenian origin, at the concert on the occasion of IOM's 20 years in Ukraine. After the concert, Vadim shared his story with IOM, joining IOM's global campaign "I Am a Migrant".
IOM Director General William Lacy Swing travelled to Kyiv on 6-7 October to meet high level Ukrainian officials. His visit marked the 20th anniversary of the IOM Mission in Ukraine – currently the biggest IOM mission in Europe.