After the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014, in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine. This has resulted in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 31 December 2023, around 43,800 refugees from Ukraine had temporary protection in Latvia, although the number could be higher. Certain third country nationals are also eligible for temporary protection.
Refugees with temporary protection have the right to employment, healthcare, and education and are eligible to social assistance on the same terms as Latvian citizens, as well as to a special refugee benefit.
Their main needs include cash aid, food, and employment, as one in four struggles to cover their basic needs, language courses, healthcare, information, and accommodation, as well as education for children.
(Eurostat accessed 31/01/2024, IOM 24/11/2023, EUAA 05/2022, Ukraine to Latvia accessed 31/01/2024, UNHCR 15/01/2024)
After the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014, in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion from Russian and Belarusian territory into northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine. This has resulted in mass displacement within Ukraine and abroad, mostly to the EU.
As at 31 December 2023, around 43,800 refugees from Ukraine had temporary protection in Latvia, although the number could be higher. Certain third country nationals are also eligible for temporary protection.
Refugees with temporary protection have the right to employment, healthcare, and education and are eligible to social assistance on the same terms as Latvian citizens, as well as to a special refugee benefit.
Their main needs include cash aid, food, and employment, as one in four struggles to cover their basic needs, language courses, healthcare, information, and accommodation, as well as education for children.
(Eurostat accessed 31/01/2024, IOM 24/11/2023, EUAA 05/2022, Ukraine to Latvia accessed 31/01/2024, UNHCR 15/01/2024)
