Reconnecting Families: Pathways To Family Reunification And The Restoration Of Family Ties Among Displaced Ukrainians

Research Findings And Practical Recommendations For Government Authorities, Humanitarian And International Organisations  

This report examines the impact of the war in Ukraine war on family separation and the ability of displaced Ukrainians to maintain family ties and pursue reunification. Drawing on 101 in-depth interviews conducted in Ukraine (including territories not controlled by the Ukrainian government), Russia, and several European countries, the study explores how war, displacement, border restrictions, administrative barriers, and political divisions affect family relationships across front lines and international borders. 

The findings demonstrate that family separation is not only a humanitarian concern but also a broader social and security issue with long-term implications for individual well-being, social cohesion, and post-conflict recovery. The report highlights the limitations of existing legal, migration, and humanitarian mechanisms in responding to the realities of prolonged conflict and large-scale displacement. Based on the experiences of affected families, it offers practical recommendations for governments, humanitarian agencies, international organisations, and civil society actors aimed at reducing barriers to family contact, facilitating reunification, strengthening social resilience, and supporting longer-term peacebuilding and recovery efforts.