Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, IOM Lithuania has been carrying out various activities to help Ukrainian war refugees. Our aim is to reach the most vulnerable and respond to their needs. By conducting a survey of Ukrainian war refugees in Lithuania, we learned about their needs and problems and identified activities to help them settle in Lithuania: 

  • we are currently providing:
  • legal counseling;
  • career and psychological counseling; 
  • consultations on life and integration in Lithuania and case management;   
  • organising Lithuanian language courses; 
  • paying/receiving cash benefits;.  
  • conducting surveys on the needs, intentions and integration f the refugee population; 
  • we provide business grants;
    providing training on the dangers of human trafficking.
  • carrying out integration activities for foreigners in the Migration Information and Integration Centre "MICenter".

Currently, there more than 50,000 Ukrainians with valid residence permits in Lithuania, and almost 90,000 war refugees have arrived in Lithuania since the beginning of the war. IOM Lithuania has assisted more than 17,000 Ukrainians through various activities. The assistance ranged from financial support to accommodation and language courses. More than 55,000 USD were provided for temporary accommodation for Ukrainians. Read more about IOM Lithuania's assistance to Ukrainians here.

IOM Lithuania regularly cooperates with NGOs and state institutions to actively help Ukrainians to integrate into life in Lithuania.

Psychological support

IOM Lithuania operates an emotional support line for Ukrainians. The line is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day: Ukrainians in Lithuania can call +370 800 00 474 free of charge. Counselling is available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Consultations in English are also available on weekdays from 9.00 a.m. - to 6.00 p.m. and on weekends from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 

IOM Lithuania also provides free individual psychological counselling. Please register here: https://bit.ly/4fkGmsS 

The Migration Information Centre „MiCenter“ offers group therapy sessions for seniors, adolescents and women, as well as canine therapy sessions. More than 200 people have attended them in total. Registration for the therapies is updated periodically, stay tuned for our news.

IOM Lithuania and its partners organised training for more than 200 Ukrainian psychologists on how to provide psychological support in wartime conditions to people in Ukraine directly threatened by war.  200 social workers also took part in the seminars.

Language courses

IOM Lithuania organised free English language courses for Ukrainian citizens in Lithuania. Some of them started learning a new foreign language and others improved their English language skills.

IOM Lithuania will continue to organise free Lithuanian language courses for Ukrainian war refugees. Lectures are remote and live. Groups are currently formed and no registration is available. More than 600 participants have finished courses.

Cash interventions

IOM Lithuania has provided one-off payments to Ukrainians fleeing the war to cover basic needs. In total, 6330 people received assistance, who often arrived in Lithuania with only a few belongings. These were pregnant women, single mothers and people with disabilities.

Pharmacy cards have also been allocated. In total, Ukrainians received more than 1,800 cards of €50 each. This aid measure has now expired.

New Ukrainians are also currently receiving a one-time payment of €176/person.

Accommodation solutions

The Vilnius Office of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM Lithuania) and the accommodation platform Airbnb have provided 2,615 free nights to Ukrainian war refugees over a six-month period. The Ukrainians were able to stay in Airbnb apartments for between 7 and 30 days. The total amount of funding for this assistance in Lithuania is 55 000 EUR. In total, the EU has provided USD 55 million for this assistance.

In addition, IOM Lithuania provided one-off financial payments to the Ukrainians to cover the part of rent. More than 860 people got assistance. This assistance is currently not being implemented. 

In addition, IOM Lithuania carried out a survey of landlords who rented to Ukrainians. It shows that almost 40% of Lithuanians took in Ukrainians for a period of 2-6 months after the outbreak of the war, while 35% of respondents to the survey indicated that the Ukrainians they took in are still living in the accommodation they were given. 17% of the respondents hosted war refugees for a period of 6-12 months and only 9% of the respondents hosted Ukrainians for one month. You can see more results here and here

 

Educational activities

In order to help children from Ukraine to settle in Lithuanian schools and Lithuanian teachers to gain experience in working with a larger number of foreigners in schools, IOM Lithuania actively cooperates with Vytautas Magnus University in the field of education: organising conferences, conducting research to find out the needs and expectations of the Lithuanian education community and Ukrainians, and organising seminars and workshops for teachers. 285 educators participated in the conference, 275 teachers joined the three remote workshops and almost 3,400 respondents took part in the research.
On 28 September 2022 IOM Lithuania organised a conference for education community Inclusive School - How to manage cultural shock. A recording of the conference in Lithuanian is available here and in English here 

On 8 December 2022 a seminar for teachers Migration Challenges for the Lithuanian School. A Case Study of Ukraine, moderated by Professor of Social Sciences PhD. Giedrė Kvieskienė (Vytautas Magnus University), was organised. The seminar presented the challenges faced by the Lithuanian general education system in welcoming Ukrainian refugee children and gave practical advice to teachers on how to better involve Ukrainian children in the learning process. A recording of the seminar is available here 

In the seminar Towards Safe, Caring, and Connected Schools, organised on 16 December 2022, PhD. Snežana Obradović-Ratković from Brock University (Ontario, Canada) discussed strategies and best practices to help teachers and schools successfully integrate refugee students. A recording of the seminar in Lithuanian is available here and in English here 

On 20  December 2022  Anne Maisvee, Integration Assistance Coordinator at IOM Estonia, held a seminar IOM Estonia integrational assistance: activities within the Ukrainian response project. The seminar presented strategies and methods for promoting the inclusion of Ukrainian pupils in Estonian schools and strengthening teachers' competences. A recording of the seminar in Lithuanian is available here  and in English here 

Seminars, dissemination of information and counselling

In order to respond to the needs of Ukrainians, IOM Lithuania organises remote seminars for them and, together with representatives of Lithuanian institutions, answers the most important questions related to social services, health care services, as well as employment in Lithuania. In 2022, the seminars were attended by 130 participants and received more than 1,000 views. The material from the seminars is being disseminated on Ukrainian social network groups to reach a wider range of interested war refugees.

Migration Information Centre MiCenter | 8 800 22 922 - toll-free line for calls from Lithuania | +370 5 251 4352 - for calls from abroad (standard rate). Live consultations at J. Jasinskio str. 16, 2nd floor.

Registration link:https://shorturl.at/N86fw

Health care services for Ukrainians

On 8 September 2022 IOM Lithuania organised a remote seminar Health Care Services for Ukrainians, attended by representatives of the National Health Insurance Fund, Antakalnis Outpatient Clinic and Vilnius Mental Health Centre. During the seminar, the speakers shared information on what health care services are available to war refugees in Lithuania, who is covered by compulsory health insurance, what services are guaranteed by this insurance, how patients are registered in medical institutions, and where to address for psychological help. A recording of the seminar is available here

Answers to the most frequently asked questions during the seminar are available here 

The procedure for accessing healthcare services in Ukrainian can be found here 

Social guarantees and benefits for Ukrainians

During the seminar Social Guarantees and Benefits for Ukrainians, organised on 27 September 2022, the Chancellor of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and specialists from the State Social Insurance Fund Sodra presented information and answered urgent questions concerning various benefits, compensations and state social assistance for Ukrainians. A recording of the seminar is available here 

Answers to the most frequently asked questions during the seminar are available here 

Employment of Ukrainians in Lithuania: procedure and advice

During the seminar about employment in Lithuania which was organised by the Vilnius Office of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and VšĮ SOPA on 27 January 2023, war refugees from Ukraine were advised by professional employment consultants who gave advice on how to prepare a proper CV, what is important to know when signing an employment contract, how to create a job for yourself with a certificate of individual activity or a business certificate. 

You can watch a recording of the seminar here

Answers to the most frequently asked questions during the seminar can be found here 

More information is here

 

During the seminar Employment of Ukrainians in Lithuania: Procedure and Advice, organised on 27 October 2022, representatives of the Employment Service, the Centre for Quality Assessment of Studies and the State Labour Inspectorate shared information on the services offered by the state authorities to help employ Ukrainians, the cases where recognition of qualifications is needed, rights of employees and the authorities in charge of protection of the employee rights, and how to avoid becoming a victim of human trafficking. A recording of the seminar is available here 

Answers to the most frequently asked questions during the seminar are available here  

Employment and career guidance

150 people took part in IOM Lithuania's entrepreneurship training, 26 of whom received financial support to help them implement their ideas and start their own businesses. This increased Ukrainians' chances of getting a job and facilitated their integration in Lithuania. 
In addition, IOM Lithuania runs career counselling sessions.

Applications for Business Grants are also currently being accepted, with the deadline for completed applications being 14 November.More information here: https://lithuania.iom.int/lt/news/iom-lietuva-skirs-iki-3000-euru-verslumui-skatinti/predstavnictvo-iom-u-litvi-nadast-do-3000-evro-na-rozvitok-pidpriemnictva

Please register here: https://shorturl.at/T1T1s    and get most important advice about employment in Lithuania.

Displacement needs survey (DTM)

IOM Lithuania conducted a survey on the intentions and needs of Ukrainian war refugees in Lithuania in September and October 2022. More than 600 Ukrainians were interviewed and the main directions of their arrival in Lithuania were identified, as well as the main problems and challenges, and further intentions. Based on this research, organisations and institutions assisting Ukrainian war refugees can better coordinate their actions and adjust their assistance mechanisms.

The new study had been done in March 2023. A link to the findings of the study can be found here.

The new study had been done in June 2023. A link to the findings of the study can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in September 2023.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in December 2023.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in January - March 2024.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

More information here

Taxes in Lithuania

Find out about taxes in Lithuania quickly and conveniently. IOM Lithuania organised a webinar on "Tax system in Lithuania". Representatives of the State Tax Inspectorate and the Director of the Anti-Money Laundering Centre of Excellence took part in the seminar and presented information on taxes in Lithuania and their high rates, as well as recommendations on how to avoid becoming a victim of scams.

You  can watch the recording here, information is available in Russian.

You can find answers to key questions here

Guidance on how to avoid scams here

Consultancy and case management

The International Organisation for Migration Vilnius office (IOM Lithuania) not only provides advice but also targeted assistance. When you arrive in a foreign country, there are many questions: how to get to a doctor? How to register your child for school? Where to apply for residence permits? And many others. Therefore, IOM Lithuania invites Ukrainians living in Lithuania to take advantage of the counselling and IOM staff will provide all the necessary information. For the most vulnerable persons whose cases are complex and require coordinated support covering a range of services (information and counselling; legal assistance; health care; assistance for voluntary return and reintegration, etc.), case managers will be assigned to assist them until the situation is resolved. This assistance will therefore go beyond a one-off consultation and will help to find a solution. 
You can contact: SMLTU_PROTECTION@iom.int  or call +37066591039

Pharmacy cards

The Vilnius office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Lithuania) has finished distributing pharmacy cards to war refugees from Ukraine. 1875 cards with a total value of more than 93 thousand were distributed. euros.

Researches

IOM Lithuania carries out a variety of studies aimed at clarifying the basic needs of Ukrainian war refugees.

One of them is a survey of landlords and Ukrainians themselves about renting accommodation. You can find out more here and here

IOM Lithuania conducted a survey on the intentions and needs of Ukrainian war refugees in Lithuania in September and October 2022. More than 600 Ukrainians were interviewed, the main directions of their arrival in Lithuania were identified, and the main problems and challenges, as well as further intentions were clarified. Based on this research, organisations and institutions assisting Ukrainian war refugees can better coordinate their actions and adjust their assistance mechanisms.

A new study using the DTM method was conducted in March 2023.  A link to the findings of the study can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in June 2023.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in September 2023.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in December 2023.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

A new DTM study was carried out in January - March 2024.  A link to the study findings can be found here.

More information here. 17% of the respondents accommodated war refugees for a period of 6-12 months and only 9% of the respondents provided housing to Ukrainians for one month. You can see more results here

Trainings about human trafficking

IOM has been helping victims of human trafficking since 1994. Currently, IOM Lithuania provides advice to organisations and institutions seeking to learn how to identify and assist victims of trafficking. Particular attention is paid to foreigners who are at increased risk. Representatives of municipalities and employees of public institutions have already participated in the training - 132 people in total.

Migration information center "MiCenter"

IOM Lithuania Migration Information Center works to ensure that migrants’ experiences in Lithuania are as smooth and positive as possible. We serve as a one-stop-shop for all migrant needs, whether you’re looking for practical assistance or a supportive conversation. More information here: https://micenter.lt/en 

 Read more about MiCenter here

The project is co-financed by

Donorai