UKRAINE 2019 UNHCR PARTICIPATRY ASSESSMENT “The complementary protection document does not mean anything for Ukrainian employers, some banks and even in the hospitals.” Person with complementary protection from the Russian Federation Access to health care Several individuals officially documented by the asylum authorities expressed low awareness about how they can access medical institutions. Some groups highlighted language barrier in communication with doctors, as well as discriminatory practices used by some doctors who make them wait in the queue longer than other patients. Furthermore, undocumented asylum-seekers confirmed that they do not have access to medical care at all, which can lead to grave consequences. DID YOU KNOW Until the start of the recent health care reforms, asylum-seekers enjoyed access to free urgent medical care and medical examinations. However, during the process of the reform, these measures were reversed. At present, asylum-seekers must pay for these services at the same rate as other foreigners who are temporarily in Ukraine. Asylum-seekers say they are not tourists. Most cannot afford to pay. “I was supposed to undergo a complicated surgery on my eyes. I was told by doctors that delay could lead to blindness. Everything was prepared thanks to UNHCR NGO partner. UNHCR agreed to cover the expenses for the surgery and I was already in the hospital. Then the doctors figured out that I do not have proper documents. They simply withdrew me from the surgery.” Asylum-seeker from Chad There were also concerns about asylum-seekers with serious medical problems, like diabetes, which require both urgent and regular assistance. Asylum-seekers with disabilities may stay in the procedure for years, and they cannot receive any disability support from the state. Access to education While the participants at large have not reported problems with access to education, a number of them, particularly asylum-seekers, expressed feelings of hopelessness about how they will use the acquired qualification in Ukraine if their application for asylum is rejected. Some asylum-seekers said that while all their children attend schools, they see no prospects for further professional training and employment for them, as their asylum procedures are lengthy and remain unresolved for years. Participants of one group in Odesa mentioned that educational activities such as museum and theatre visits, book readings and other activities which UNHCR and its partner organized for children in 2018 were an excellent opportunity for their children to mingle with local children. “Our children are growing up, studying, and going to school. They ask what they should do with their lives, but we have no answers for them as we do not know which decision the Migration Service will take, or when it will do so.” Asylum-seeker from Tajikistan in Kyiv Language skills The necessity to quickly acquire local language skills was voiced by many participants. Both refugees and asylum-seekers admitted that language knowledge opens doors for employment and eases integration. Several refugees stressed the importance of Ukrainian language for those who work as interpreters in courts or with the state authorities to support other asylum-seekers. Some larger communities, like the Afghan community in Odesa, shared their own experience of organizing language classes for community members and covering teachers’ fees by means of community-mobilized donations. In Zakarpatska oblast, participants who have already attended language courses expressed their keen interest in reaching higher language levels (B2 and C1). Some participants suggested new learning modalities as an alternative to classroom education, such as using skype or exchanges with local students. Some men noted that their wives had difficulty attending language classes due to family responsibilities. They supported the idea of remote learning technologies. Women themselves said they 6