THE ROLE OF PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS IN PROVIDING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ODESSA REGION)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study on determining the role of public organizations in providing social assistance to internally displaced persons on the example of Odesa region. The concepts of «social assistance» and «social assistance to internally displaced persons» are defined. A diagnostic cross-section was carried out on the basis of administrative service centers during monitoring visits to communities, which covered IDPs of Zatyshansk, Bolgradsk, Znamyansk and Sergiivsk communities of Odessa region. Also, the survey was conducted directly among social workers of the public organization «Tenth of April». The purpose of the article is to conduct research on determining the role of public organizations in providing social assistance to internally displaced persons on the example of Odesa region. The research used questionnaire and semi-structured interview methods. The results of the survey showed that: a large part of respondents (78%) experience financial difficulties; 65% are satisfied with their level of adaptation to life in the host community, although they do not rule out that the situation could have been better; the most acute security problem in the respondents' previous places of residence was the destruction of property due to military actions (78%); respondents' most important needs are access to housing and employment, as well as basic needs such as food and clothing; the main types of assistance that public organizations can provide are assistance in finding a job, filing documents, receiving social benefits, care for the elderly and people with disabilities, support for families with children, psychological support, etc. Also, the majority of respondents (52%) experience difficulties in obtaining assistance due to a lack of information about available services, the procedure for obtaining them, contacts of public organizations, etc. Based on the results of the research, the authors developed a number of conclusions and recommendations addressed to state authorities, local self-government and civil society organizations.

Keywords

• social assistance, internally displaced persons, public organizations, social protection of the population, civil society.