Through its project, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and running between January and December 2024, IOM Hungary has provided essential services to hundreds of Ukrainians residing in Hungary, facilitating their successful inclusion into local society. Key activities included case management for the most vulnerable individuals both in Budapest and the border area, supporting more than 200 people. Additionally, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) was offered to 125 people, and 35 people participated in specially tailored art therapy sessions.

IOM collaborated with two exceptional organizations as part of the project. From September to December 2024, ULE (From Streets to Home Association) delivered critical support to 249 individuals from 74 households. This support encompassed rental aid, customized needs assessments, vouchers, and community events that fostered a sense of belonging and stability.

“It was a long-held dream of ours to create a women group, and IOM’s contribution finally made it possible. We even created two separate groups to avoid large age gaps. It is inspiring to be there and hear all their stories - we talk a lot about self-respect and how to build our self-esteem, even while carrying heavy trauma,”  Anna, an ULE mentor shared.

During the last quarter of the year, Menedék visited shelters accommodating people fleeing from Ukraine to gain a deeper understanding of the situation, conducting 20 community consultations to assess refugees' needs. Based on these identified needs, they organized group development activities tailored to Ukrainian refugee children, conducted 35 small group development sessions, and provided individual assistance to children with special learning needs. Additionally, they offered individual counseling to parents and held consultations with teachers.

Additionally, IOM has made significant contributions by delivering over 3,000 household items and school supplies. These essential resources have been distributed to various shelters, schools, and partner organizations, ensuring that those in need receive the necessary support.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEAH) was also a crucial component of the project. IOM organized training sessions to equip its partners with the necessary knowledge to monitor and prevent cases of sexual exploitation and abuse.

„It’s important that we recognize and respect that everyone’s experience is different, and we must share that understanding with those we work with. We need a structured framework, like the one provided by IOM, to educate our teams effectively on this topic," Zsófia from a partner NGO shared, helping her team of social workers adopt this knowledge.

IOM Hungary is deeply grateful for the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and remains committed to improving the lives of people fleeing Ukraine.