VPO payments soon: Vereshchuk names the reason
27 January 2024 07:07
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk said that payments to internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be optimised. She said this during a national telethon, according to 
According to Vereshchuk, there are about 4.9 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine, of whom 2.5 million receive monthly state aid.
“The changes in the legislation are partly due to the current demographic situation, as some people have returned to their homes and some have gone abroad. Therefore, the total number of IDPs has decreased. However, given the continuing evacuations, the problem of IDP assistance remains relevant,”
– ms Vereshchuk said.
She also noted that the changes in payments are due to a decrease in budget revenues and the requirements of international partners to verify and optimise payments.
According to her, in 2022, UAH 57 billion was allocated to help IDPs, while in 2023 this amount increased to UAH 73 billion. However, in 2024, it is planned to return to the previous level of funding of UAH 57 billion.
“Our task is to ensure fairness of payments. Those who have already adapted, got housing or found a job should no longer need such large-scale support, unlike the most vulnerable categories of citizens,”
– vereshchuk emphasised.
Earlier, the Ministry of Social Policy reported that all IDPs who applied for payments after 1 August 2023 would have their financial assistance extended for another six months. Their first payment period ends on 31 January 2024. After the automatic extension, they will receive funds for another six months, starting from 1 February 2024.
