Since the war broke out in Ukraine, Slovakia has become a destination country for thousands of Ukrainian people, including women, children, older people, people with disabilities, and specific needs. 

Many war-affected people fled their homes only with basic needs and lacking financial means. Some people's health conditions required permanent care, and some deteriorated during the arduous journey or when they arrived in Slovakia. To make sure the basic needs of the most vulnerable group of people on the run are met, IOM provided cash assistance to support the family carers of people with disabilities from Ukraine and people with specific needs for six months.

IOM frontline worker advising people with visual impairment from Ukraine and their assistant about necessary travel information. Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2023.

IOM Slovakia assisted 615 vulnerable households with emergency cash assistance. Of these people receiving assistance, 195 were carers of people with disability, and 420 were persons with specific needs. In line with the Slovak government programme, IOM provided 508 EUR for carers of adult people with disabilities and 300 EUR for families with people with specific needs for six months through bank transfer or via prepaid card to those people who did not have a bank account in Slovakia. 

For example, IOM assistance was provided to people caring for people affected by multiple sclerosis, cerebral paralysis, stroke, or persons who are wheelchair-bound due to a disability. IOM also provided cash assistance to adult Ukrainian nationals with specific needs who are being treated for a range of health conditions, including cancer and diabetes. They were of urgent help with medicines, medical appliances, and assistance items, or immediate medical interventions.  

One such beneficiary is a 79 years old pensioner who partially lost his vision and his worsened health condition would deteriorate to losing full sight and becoming blind. His doctor recommended immediate eye surgery. A local non-profit organization referred this elderly man to IOM. IOM assessed him for relevant criteria and subsequently assisted him with financial support from which he covered the cost of his surgery. His doctor confirmed that he would have lost his sight without this timely intervention.

With the support of:

 U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.