By ICMPD's Policy Unit

Much has been achieved by states and societies hosting people who have fled, and are still fleeing, the war in Ukraine. Millions have received temporary protection and access to services; Ukrainian children have enrolled in local schools; and many adults have entered new labour markets. However, as of yet, there is no systematic answer on how to move on from temporary protection. 

A number of fora have been established to coordinate, exchange, and address present challenges resulting from the unprecedented pace and scale of displacement from Ukraine. Yet, none started to consider what might follow temporary protection. It is precisely for this reason that ICMPD and the Inter-Governmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC) decided to jointly trigger such discussions and start exploring future options.

This discussion paper on past, present and future options summarises key policy reactions by states as well as a variety of published scenarios for the war. It then explores different policy options available to states once temporary protection and similar schemes come to an end. The paper aims at initiating discussions on ways out of temporary protection and similar schemes and was co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

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