UN: More than 8 million internally displaced in Ukraine
May 11, 2022, 6:40 am

UN: More than 8 million internally displaced in Ukraine

Children sit in a refugee centre in Nadarzyn, near Warsaw on 25 March 2022. (Photo: Petr David Josek/The Associated Press)

The Khaleej Times reported, citing the AFP, the United Nations said on Tuesday (May 10) that more than eight million people are estimated to have been displaced within Ukraine by Russia’s war, having fled their homes but stayed inside the country.

This is in addition to the more than 5.9 million Ukrainians who have left Ukraine entirely since Russian attack on February 24.

The figure for the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of May 3, issued by the UN’s International Organization for Migration, is up from the estimate of 7.7 million the IOM gave as of April 17.

IOM director-general Antonio Vitorino said: “The needs of those internally displaced and all affected by the war in Ukraine are growing by the hour."

Russian Invasion of Ukraine-The battle for Donbas (Photo: Euromaidan Press)

“Access to populations in need of aid remains a challenge amid active hostilities, but our teams are committed to continue delivering urgent assistance inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.”

The IOM conducted its latest survey between April 29 and May 3. Sixty-three per cent of current IDPs are estimated to be women. Almost half of the IDPs — more than 3.9 million people — have fled their homes in the eastern region of Ukraine, where Russia is now concentrating its assault. A further 1.65 million from the Kyiv region have fled their homes, and 1.3 million from the north have been displaced.

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The survey found that 36 per cent of IDPs — 2.9 million people — are now in the relatively safer west of Ukraine.

But while a large number of those who fled their homes in east Ukraine are now in the west of the country, a significant number have remained in the eastern region.

Three-quarters of IDPs said they felt somewhat or completely safe in their current location.

The IOM study found that financial support was the overwhelming need among IDPs — chiefly to cover food and medical costs — with shelter another pressing need.

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The IOM said: “Nine per cent of all people surveyed in the latest report, including those not internally displaced, indicated that their homes were damaged or destroyed. Among the internally displaced alone, this figure rose to 27 percent. Every one out of 10 people surveyed said that they would need materials to fix damaged homes.”

The survey found that more than 1.2 million people were actively considering leaving their homes due to the war. It also estimated that 2.72 million people had returned to their homes following at least two weeks of displacement, including former IDPs and people who left the country.

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The IOM cautioned, however, “return dynamics remain unsteady and a share of returns reported may not be permanent."

The survey shed light on the numbers of people currently separated from close family due to the war — 41 per cent, while among IDPs the figure was 64 per cent.

The survey found that 22 per cent of displaced households had children aged one to four, 55 per cent included elderly members and 31 per cent had people with chronic illnesses.

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The rapid representative assessment was conducted through interviews with 2,000 anonymous respondents aged over 18 who were contacted at random by telephone.

The survey is used by the IOM to gather insights into internal displacement and mobility and to assess the humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

Source: khaleejtimes

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.