How Putin’s war in Ukraine has pushed millions into homelessness: ‘We must tackle this crisis’

Ukrainians fleeing the frontline of the war in their country following Russia’s full-scale invasion are increasingly ending up living on the streets, a homelessness charity has warned.

Depaul International’s assessment of the state of homelessness in the country two-and-a-half years after Putin’s forces invaded found 22% of those sleeping rough became homeless as a direct result of being displaced during the conflict.

Around 3.5 million people in Ukraine have been forced to leave their homes while two million people have had their homes destroyed or damaged.

• ‘It’s hell on Earth’: British doctors recall seeing ‘unimaginable suffering’ in Gaza
• No, the Cold War hasn’t ended. It may have only just begun

Big Issue has previously reported how the global homelessness charity switched to providing humanitarian relief in the wake of the invasion. Now, Depaul International group CEO Matthew Carter said that the homelessness crisis that has followed the war is ramping up.

“The United Nations describes conflict as a ‘systematic driver’ of homelessness globally and our dedicated team in Ukraine are seeing the reality of this on their streets,” said Carter.

“Being forced to leave your home, job and belongings at short notice places an unimaginable strain on people with each move bringing further uncertainty. 

“Despite this, help for those experiencing homelessness and who need it most is alarmingly limited. In the third year of the conflict, we must tackle this crisis head on and plan for the long-term impacts of the war. We all urgently need to do more to support those who have already had to give up so much.” 

Depaul called for improved access to existing services for people sleeping rough, facing addiction issues or experiencing domestic violence in the country.

Support also needs to improve for people leaving the military, hospitals or prisons, the charity said.

Analysis based on interviews with 234 people experiencing homelessness across Depaul services showed 31% of those experiencing rough sleeping report having been in prison and 41% have a criminal record.

Around seven out of 10 people experiencing homelessness have experienced violence on the streets while a quarter of those sleeping on the streets are domestic violence survivors, including half of all women the charity interviewed.

Others fell into homelessness due to eviction, family conflict or the loss of employment.

A third of respondents said they need help finding permanent accommodation, help with medical assistance and help with legal advice.

Less than 1% of individuals interviewed were able to access support outside of Depaul services while none of those experiencing homelessness were able to obtain mental health support.

The report stresses the need to ensure availability of housing as a priority. 

Anka Skoryk, interim CEO of Depaul Ukraine, was forced to move to a bomb shelter in Kharkiv mid-interview with the Big Issue, underlining the difficult conditions the charity continues to face.

She said Depaul supports a lot of people evacuated from frontline areas who are reluctant to leave the region and want to stay as close to their homes as possible.

“The situation is hard. On the one side, they understand that our enemies cannot go far but, on the other side, they understand that they are able to terrorise almost every day, almost every night,” Skoryk told the Big Issue.

“Our assistance towards people is the source of our motivation. It was huge motivation for me that all the Depaul employees came back to Kharkiv to do something for our victory.”

While the long-term outcome of the war is still unclear, Skoryk said the work to tackle and prevent homelessness will become more relevant.

She added: “Homelessness is another challenge our country is facing because of the war, after thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes.

“We must address this crisis, but it cannot be solved by one organisation alone. We need to unite to support those experiencing homelessness, to find solutions and raise awareness.” 

Depaul has supported people living in underground stations in Kharkiv as well as braving conflict zones to deliver food and other essentials to people in need.

A documentary called What Did You Do To The Russians, screened last year, followed aid workers and even documented the shocking moment when one Depaul worker lost a leg when a bomb exploded metres away.

Meanwhile, the charity has even welcomed former clients into the fold to support people in need.

Volodymyr, from Odesa, was rough sleeping at railway stations in freezing temperatures and battling drug and alcohol addiction before the invasion.

He entered a rehabilitation programme through Depaul and was given the responsibility of looking after food storage as he recovered.

When the conflict escalated a year later, he became part of the team, volunteering to manage Depaul warehouses and  distributing humanitarian aid.

Speaking to the Big Issue through a translator, Volodymyr said: “We made and distributed humanitarian packages and when we had less work I was a social worker.

“We had a mobile outreach team with hot meal distribution and we opened a low threshold shelter last December and it was suggested I joined this shelter.

“I am really lucky to have met people like that. I don’t know who gives more – I give them some in-kind assistance, material, physical assistance and I get this feeling that I have moved in the right direction, I have changed. I have this new life. Supporting others is a necessity for me.”

Big Issue is demanding an end to extreme poverty. Will you ask your MP to join us?

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.