UNICEF: Ukrainians face challenges in Slovakia, especially in relation to housing

UNICEF Slovakia has warned that Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia continue to face significant challenges, particularly in relation to housing, nutrition and employment. TASR was informed about this by Michal Biznar, spokesperson of the UNICEF Office in Slovakia, in the context of the third anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"Since 24 February 2022, more than three million Ukrainians who had to leave their homes because of the war have crossed the border into Slovakia. As of January 2025, more than 130,000 of them have temporary refugee status in Slovakia. More than 80 percent are women and children," Biznar explained.

He added that up to 28 percent of households have at least one member experiencing mental health challenges. "The data also shows that up to 17 percent of children are not part of the Slovak education system," Biznar said, adding that reasons include the language barrier and the distance to the nearest school that has spare capacity to accept Ukrainian children.

Source: TASR