EU Countries Must Prepare for Long-Term Integration of Refugees from Ukraine, especially Women and Children: FRA Annual Report

EU countries should prepare for the long-term integration of refugees from Ukraine and provide them with effective protection throughout the territory.

This is stated in the annual report of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). According to him, women fleeing conflict are in particular need of protection.

The FRA said it welcomes the EU Temporary Protection Directive, under which all registered Ukrainian refugees have the right to access the labor market, education, health care and housing.

However, human rights activists drew attention to the fact that the majority of those arriving are women and young girls. Many of them have to take care of children or elderly relatives, and therefore they need targeted support.

In this regard, the agency recommended that European governments provide all refugees from Ukraine with affordable, safe and adequate housing, especially for women and children.

According to FRA experts, more emphasis should be placed on the inclusion of children through the provision of education and access to child care. In addition, women and girls subjected to sexual violence and exploitation should be provided with counseling and psychological support.

The agency laments that Ukrainian “women and girls are innocent victims of Russian aggression,” although they themselves admit that they are being raped and exploited in Europe.

The report also looks at other key fundamental rights issues over the past year, including the rise in child poverty. In this regard, it was noted that the coronavirus pandemic and rising energy prices could put even more children, one in four, at risk of poverty.

Therefore, the EU and national governments must provide resources to fight child poverty, especially for poor and vulnerable households such as single-parent Roma and migrant families.

Finally, issues of fundamental rights related to the development of technology were touched upon, emphasizing the need for increased legal protection due to the gradual introduction of artificial intelligence and digital services.

The European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) is an independent EU body that provides expert advice on fundamental rights related to the EU institutions and from Member States.

As reported EADailyformerly European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson stated that Ukrainian refugees talk about homesickness, but in fact they want to stay in Europe.