With the crisis in Ukraine, large numbers of people have left or are leaving their homes in Ukraine for the safety of other countries. The greatest number have arrived in or are trying to cross into Poland. Significant numbers are also relocating to Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and other European countries. Many people from the eastern regions of Ukraine have moved to the Russian Federation.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency, more than 600,000 refugees fled Ukraine in the six days ending 1 March 2022, and ‘the situation looks set to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century’.
The countries that neighbour Ukraine have kept their borders open for refugees, and many citizens in those countries are doing what they can to help those fleeing the conflict. However, a movement of refugees this large requires a mobilisation of effort from people around the world, not just in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.
Ways You Can Help
Support international organisations that provide direct assistance to refugees from Ukraine. These include
Identify Ukrainian associations in your country that are organising support for the people of Ukraine:
Find out what resettlement organisations and initiatives in your country are helping refugees from Ukraine. Ask what support these organisations or initiatives need, whether in the form of financial contributions, volunteer services or housing for refugees. They might need volunteers to help with
- Border or airport pickups
- Providing short- and long-term housing (if you are a landlord or have space in your home)
- Setting up apartments
- Meal assistance
- Tutoring or mentoring
- Coordinating a donation drive
- Interpreting (if you speak Ukrainian or Russian)
- Legal assistance (if you are a lawyer)
Provide housing. If you’re a landlord or have space in your home, consider providing short- or long-term housing to newly arrived refugees:
Provide jobs. If you’re an employer, consider providing jobs to newly arrived refugees.