Gdańsk, Poland, 26 June 2026 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called for greater investment in people, community participation and sustainable return pathways as essential pillars of Ukraine’s recovery during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdańsk.
The conference, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, brought together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses and civil society to advance Ukraine’s reconstruction and long-term development.
“Every Ukrainian has a role to play, whether a veteran, an internally displaced person, a member of a host community, a returnee, a Ukrainian living abroad or the Ukrainian diaspora,” said IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels. “Ensuring that all Ukrainians can actively contribute to the country’s recovery remains central to IOM’s efforts, in addition to expanding access to employment, vocational training, housing, mental health services, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.”
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, IOM has supported more than 10,000 internally displaced people with job-matching services, provided vocational training and equipment to over 1,500 vulnerable people, including those internally displaced including IDPs, and helped more than 2,300 war-affected businesses.
Strengthening local communities and ensuring displaced people are included in decision-making processes are central to sustainable recovery. Through community-based approaches and support to local authorities, IOM works to promote social cohesion, strengthen local capacities and support community-led recovery efforts across Ukraine.
Decisions about whether to return home, remain in a host community or pursue other long-term solutions are deeply personal and must be based on informed choice. Continued investment in reliable information, employment opportunities and housing solutions is key to enable safe, dignified and sustainable returns when conditions allow.
On the margins of the conference, Deputy Director General Daniels met with representatives of the Governments of Ukraine and Poland, European Union institutions, international financial institutions, donor partners and civil society organizations to deepen cooperation on Ukraine’s recovery and support for displaced Ukrainians. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships across key areas including livelihoods, community resilience, diaspora engagement and veterans’ reintegration, reinforcing the shared commitment to helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives and contribute to the country’s future.
With Ukraine’s recovery needs estimated at USD 588 billion over the next decade, according to the United Nations, IOM underscores the critical importance of sustained support for early recovery and long-term development, through approaches that engage diverse communities and are adapted to local contexts.
