LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF SOCIAL SECURITY FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN UKRAINE UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Abstract

This article presents a critical analysis of the existing legal and regulatory framework governing the social protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine under conditions of martial law, and identifies key directions for its improvement. The study establishes that the central problems of the social security system for IDPs in Ukraine are rooted in four interconnected areas: legal uncertainty arising from contradictions between laws and subordinate normative acts; duplication of functions among central executive bodies, including the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Reintegration, and the State Emergency Service; fragmentation of registration and information systems, which prevents efficient data exchange and targeted assistance; and a chronic shortage of qualified social service personnel, particularly in communities hosting large numbers of displaced persons. To address these systemic challenges, the article proposes a comprehensive set of reforms: harmonization of the normative framework with strict adherence to the rule of law and timely alignment of subordinate acts with legislative changes; creation of an integrated digital IDP registration platform ensuring automatic data exchange between state registries and eliminating duplication; clear delineation of institutional responsibilities among executive bodies, supported by a dedicated interministerial coordination centre; and significant investment in human capital within the social services sector, including competitive remuneration, targeted professional training, and psychological support for frontline staff. The article draws on comparative analysis of IDP policy in Georgia, Colombia, and Serbia, identifying transferable best practices and institutional lessons relevant to Ukraine’s postwar recovery. The findings underscore that only a coordinated normative, organizational, digital, and personnel-focused modernization of the social protection system can ensure the full realization of displaced persons’ constitutional rights and restore public trust in state institutions under conditions of prolonged crisis.