UNHCR Czech Republic released its protection brief on the situation - in the first quarter of 2024 - of beneficiaries of temporary protection displaced from Ukraine. The report presents an overview of refugees’ demographic profiles as well as main findings regarding protection risks, priority needs and intentions. 

The analysis is based on 480 interviews and findings from focus group discussions. As of 31 March 2024, there were 338 736 temporary protection holders from Ukraine in the Czech Republic. The latest amendment to the Lex Ukraine legislation allows for the extension of temporary protection for these individuals until March 2025, reduces the period of free humanitarian accommodation to 90 days, and significantly changes the rules on accommodation support for vulnerable persons.

Main findings

According to the report, the number of respondents reporting a lack of critical documentation increased from 28% to 32% in the first quarter of 2024 in comparison with the last quarter of 2023, mainly in relation to obtaining or renewing biometric passports.

Accommodation was the most urgently reported need. While the number of persons in rented accommodation increased from 46% in the last quarter of 2023 to 59% in the first quarter of 2024, and the percentage of residents in collective accommodation facilities decreased from 12% to 6%, the respondents in collective accommodation facilities highlighted challenges in accessing sustainable and affordable housing (especially considering the precarious financial situation of many). 78% respondents said they would not be able to pay more than CZK 5 000 (EUR 200) a month for accommodation; well below the market price. 

As for access to employment, the main barrier remains lack of language knowledge (61%), followed by lack of opportunities (41%). The lack of adequate language skills leads to the inability to upscale professional skills or seek meaningful employment opportunities matching qualifications. 

Research participants also highlighted significant barriers in access to adequate healthcare, including difficulties with finding a general practitioner. A general lack of healthcare-related information was also highlighted, due to language barriers that result in limited understanding of the medical (insurance) system.