The Integration of Immigrants from Ukraine and Russia: Findings of the second (T1) measurement – 2023

Background

On February 24, 2022, the Russian army invaded Ukraine. As a result, a great number of refugees fled Ukraine, primarily to neighboring countries but also to other countries, including Israel. There was also a wave of refugees that left Russia. The differences between this wave of immigration to Israel, during a time of crisis, and previous waves of immigration, highlighted the need to evaluate the integration of these immigrants and the quality of services provided to them. In April 2022, a rapid response survey was conducted to assess the immigrants’ needs. The survey questionnaire was developed by the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, together with researchers from the Outcomes Team at the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. The questionnaire was designed for ongoing measurement with the intention of using it for two rounds of measurement (T₀ and T₁). The findings of the second measurement are presented in this report.

Objectives

The objective of the current study was to assess the needs of the immigrants a year and a half after their arrival, i.e., to evaluate their integration in a range of areas of life and their integration and acclimatization outcomes.

Methodology

Research Tools: The survey questionnaire was based on the first evaluation questionnaire (T₀). It was composed of the following components: background characteristics of the immigrant; three categories of needs: economic-employment needs, language proficiency and access to services and emotional-social needs; outputs (services); and the degree of achievement of the desired outcomes.

Study Sample: In the current study, a telephone survey was conducted among 1,004 immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, aged 18 and over, who immigrated to Israel following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. A total of 320 immigrants responded to the survey (response rate of 31.9%).

Data Collection Procedure: Data collection was carried out by the Geocartography Group by means of a telephone survey conducted in July-August 2023, approximately a year and a half after the first round of measurement.

Findings

• Background Characteristics: The majority of the respondents were older women from Ukraine who were university graduates, non-religious, Russian-speaking, and self-identifying as Jewish, with a medium-high or high standard of living in their country of origin.
• Needs: Economic and employment needs were the most urgent in comparison with other needs. In the area of language proficiency and access to services, the difficulty in mastering Hebrew was prominent. In terms of emotional and social needs, feelings of mental distress and loneliness were noteworthy.
• Outputs: 96% of the respondents studied Hebrew in a full ulpan (intensive Hebrew school), a partial ulpan, private lessons, or independently. 79% of the respondents reported being satisfied with the assistance from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. 69% of the respondents reported satisfaction with their integration and assimilation in Israel; 54% of the respondents indicated that they or someone close to them was in need of emotional-mental support. However, only 26% reported making use of public or private emotional-mental support.
• Achievement of Desired Outcomes: 69% of respondents reported feeling that Israel is their country; 78% reported that they would recommend immigrating to Israel to friends, and 81% reported that they are confident or at least think that they will continue living in Israel in the future.

Recommendations

• It is recommended that accessible and designated Hebrew language programs be established for the immigrants, such as online ulpans or recorded lessons.
• It is recommended that designated staff be responsible for placing the immigrants in employment, taking into account their unique characteristics and identifying specific employment sectors where Russian language skills are needed.
• It is recommended that programs be developed to provide counseling and support in career development in Israel and assistance in the form of loans and grants for business entrepreneurship.
• It is recommended that systems be created to provide community-level solutions that offer emotional and social support to immigrants through various means.
• It is recommended that existing services be made more accessible both logistically and culturally.
• It is recommended that existing services and support programs be adapted to meet the specific needs and characteristics of the immigrant population.