On October 13, 2016, a monitoring visit to Zhytomyr was conducted by a representative of the NGO “Chirikli” as part of the project “Improving the Situation of Roma Internally Displaced Persons” supported by the UNHCR. The meeting was attended by 20 individuals (6 families) from Roma NGOs.
All representatives of the Roma NGOs at the meeting have temporary places of registration. They received a one-time assistance payment of 500 UAH from the state. Roma NGOs attempted to find work and temporary earnings (distributing leaflets, cleaning), but they were not paid for the work they completed. With the assistance of a mediator, members of three Roma family groups were able to find employment (as sellers in a market), which led to conflicts with local Roma as competition arose in the market.
Currently, finding housing for the autumn-winter period is a pressing issue. With the help of a mediator, temporary shelter was found for two large families in the Khmelnytskyi region (a Roma family provided housing for them for 2 weeks). To obtain housing in a village and settle Roma families in currently abandoned houses, the consent of the local community and the indication of the village head are necessary. They do not plan to return to Donetsk Oblast. Four families require humanitarian assistance in the form of warm clothing and food. Eight children were present at the meeting, the majority of whom are of preschool age and do not attend preschool institutions.
