A special issue of the journal Global Network, which is based upon work from our COST Action ‘Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe, CA21143’, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) was published.
It can be accessed here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1471-0374.ukrainian-refugees-in-europe 
and includes these papers that are open access:
Navigating Displacement: The Ukrain Refugee Crises in Europe
Mieke Schrooten
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/glob.70006
Abstract
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 triggered one of the most significant displacement crises in modern European history, with over 6.3 million Ukrainians fleeing to Europe. The European Union’s activation of the Temporary Protection Directive facilitated immediate access to housing, employment, and social security benefits for Ukrainian refugees, setting a stark contrast to past refugee crises. This Special Issue of Global Networks critically examines the European Union’s response, the solidarity shown towards Ukrainian migrants, and the evolving nature of forced migration governance. It highlights the innovative practices in housing and support provision and the challenges faced by social workers. The issue also explores refugee experiences and the motivations behind volunteer engagement. It contributes to discussions on migration policy, resilience, and the long-term implications of temporary protection measures for future migration governance and refugee protection in Europe.
Navigating Displacement: The Intertemporal Migration and Settlement Experiences of Ukrainians in Latvia
Kata Fredheim, Zane Varpina
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/glob.70000
Abstract
The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 resulted in the largest wave of displacement in Europe since World War II, with approximately eight million people–primarily women, children and older people–leaving Ukraine. Over 42 thousand individuals arrived in Latvia in the first month after the outbreak of war, seeking refuge and received widespread government and civil organisation support. This study explores migration and settlement experiences of Ukrainian war-displaced people in Latvia over the very early period of displacement. It takes an intertemporal approach and studies the development of aspirations and perceptions in the decision-making process, based on 72 interviews conducted with Ukrainians during the early months of the conflict in March–April 2022 and 7 months later. We document the transition from immediate concerns around displacement to more long-term considerations about settling and integration. We find that plans with respect to settlement and integration are intertwined with uncertainties; intentions for returning home remain strong but tend to lose the time dimension. The displaced remain in the liminal space between countries caused by families left behind or in other countries, as well as duty and desires to return home but being unable to do so for safety reasons. We assert that social networks play a major role in the early stages of forced migration decisions but in varied ways depending on the time. Overall, the decision-making whether to settle in the host country, return to the home country or move onward are complex and dynamic processes that undergo temporal changes.
Resilience Against All Odds: How Refugee Women From Ukraine Find Courage Through Transnational Families
Laura Dryjanska, Jamie N. Sanchez, Rachel Hagues
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/glob.12497
Abstract
The recent war in Ukraine has prompted a global focus on refugees and their ability to successfully overcome adversity. This article focuses on the factors that foster resilience in women refugees. Refugee resilience depends on external environments as much as on internal strength, both of which relate to the nature of transnational families that stretch across at least two countries and rely on the family member’s internal capacity to address the challenge of maintaining ties, alongside their external resources available in their circumstances. A qualitative study was conducted in November 2022 with 11 women refugees from Ukraine interviewed in Warsaw, Poland. Eight themes that contribute to resilience in women refugees were identified, including (1) family (in particular, intergenerational family solidarity), (2) community, (3) artistic expression and artisan creation, (4) connection to nature and environment, (5) access to mental health professionals, (6) work, (7) faith and spirituality and (8) hope for the future. Dominant, overarching narratives included the safety and well-being of participants’ children, overcoming adversities for the sake of their sons and daughters and facing daily struggles related to providing for their family.
Ukrainian Refugees’ Differentiated Treatment: A Critical and Systematic Review
Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/glob.12502?af=R
Abstract
This review examines the distinct treatment of millions of displaced Ukrainians amidst the ongoing conflict, compared to previous refugee groups in Europe, presenting a synthesis of research encompassing traditional and grey literature. Evaluating resettlement processes, the analysis underscores the unique factors shaping Ukrainian refugees’ reception, shedding light on disparities compared to other refugee groups. Cultural perceptions, vulnerability, demographics and the framing of Russia as a common adversary influence responses from individuals, organizations and nations in unprecedented ways in Western societies. The discussion critically dissects these findings, proposing the concept of ‘promising victimhood’ for a nuanced understanding of differential treatment, while urging further theoretical development. This concise systematic review serves as a crucial benchmark for both academics and policymakers, emphasizing the need to address systemic injustices in refugee reception across various levels and sectors.
Uncertainties of Temporary Protection: Forcibly Displaced People From Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sanja Cukut Krilić, Simona Zavratnik
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/glob.12508
Abstract
The experiences of displaced persons, currently particularly from Ukraine, are reflected in the concept of temporary protection as an immediate response to mass displacement. This article proposes a consideration of temporary protection from the perspective of ‘openness’, ‘in-betweenness’ and the various forms of insecurities in people’s lives in new societies and on their journeys. Refugees are connected in multi-layered networks along their routes; forced migration goes in all directions; therefore, fluidity, situational dependency and macro factors determine its dynamics. The empirical data on Ukrainian refugees in Slovenia and the consideration of the situation of Bosnian refugees in the period of the Yugoslav wars show a complex interplay of structural and individual factors that determine the position of temporarily protected persons in larger transnational networks. The article also reflects on the relational question of international protection from the perspective of ‘deservedness’ and hierarchies among different migrant groups.
Motivations and Views on State Support for Refugees: Distinguishing Between Politically and Socially Engaged
Sifka Etlar Frederiksen, Liam Haller, Theresa Uhr
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/glob.12514
Abstract
This research investigates engagement for refugees within the German socio-political landscape. Following the arrival of one million forced migrants from Ukraine to Germany in 2022, we conducted two surveys on those who volunteered in support. The first was on general engagement (N = 2000) and the second was on individuals who provided homestay accommodation (N = 3682). Our analysis explores the driving motivations for different types of engagement, comparing individuals involved in political activities with those engaged in social-humanitarian activities. We find that value-based motivations impact both political and social-humanitarian engagement, with universalism driving political engagement and benevolence linked to social-humanitarian involvement. Further, differing motivations and types of engagement align with varying beliefs about the role of the state, suggesting that individuals engaged politically believe in increased state responsibility, contrasting with views held by socially engaged individuals. These findings are contextualized within the broader literature on engagement and migration regimes.
The Welfare System in the Face of War Refugees From Ukraine: The Experience of Social Workers in Poland
Ryszard Necel
The Welfare System in the Face of War Refugees From Ukraine: The Experience of Social Workers in Poland
Ryszard Necel
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/glob.12517
Abstract
This article explores the experiences of social workers in Poland assisting Ukrainian War refugees in the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion in 2022. It adopts a ‘culture of disaster’ framework, positioning social workers as professionals responding to macro-level crises and disasters. The research is based on a quantitative survey (computer-assisted web interview [CAWI]) of social workers in municipalities with the highest refugee populations (N = 402). The article shows that the majority of social workers were primarily involved in an emergency response, focusing on meeting basic social needs. However, their involvement in social inclusion and advocacy was significantly less common. Social workers reported high levels of community support and valued working with local communities. The research highlights the challenges faced during the crisis, including professional overload, inadequate regulatory frameworks and the perception of local welfare centres as the only support structures for refugees.