Aid for Ukrainian refugees from neighbouring countries

On 24 February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine and six months later, after billions of euros in damages and an immense and tragic loss of human life, the conflict seems to have no end in sight.

Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes and their country in order to find safety in neighbouring countries. The slogan “You Can Help Ukraine” has been adopted by civilians and non-profit organisations, such as the House of Ukraine, to collect both financial and non-financial donations, and the Ukrainian diaspora has played a major role in mobilising and distributing humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugee. 

Which countries are refugees currently taking shelter in?

Official data from the UN shows that more than 5.2 million Ukrainian refugees have travelled across Europe, many of whom have sought sanctuary in neighbouring countries, including Russia. The following is a list of neighbouring countries and the number of Ukrainian refugees being sheltered:

• Russia: 1,305,018
• Poland: 1,180,677
• Moldova: 85,797
• Romania: 82,733
• Slovakia: 78,972
• Hungary: 25,042
• Belarus: 9,006

What are neighbouring countries doing to help?

The EU has granted all Ukrainian refugees the automatic right to stay and work in any of its 27 member states for up to three years. Those who have been unable to find accommodation with friends or relatives are being housed in reception centers where they are being provided with food and medical care. Refugees can also apply for social welfare payments, and may be granted housing as well as education.

Poland

Poland’s UN spokesperson has declared that the country has ““put in place systems to ensure legal stay, access to employment, education, health care and other social welfare schemes for Ukrainian refugees”, and that the over 1.1 million registered people, the majority of which are women and children, have received a state ID number which grants them access to these services. 

Those who wish to donate money to further assist Ukrainian refugees in Poland can find more information here.

Moldova

Moldova, a country which is welcoming refugees at the border with material assistance and information, has also initiated a “cash assistance programme, through which refugees receive around 2,200 Moldovan Lei (US$120) per month after signing up at one of eight enrolment centers or with mobile enrolment teams that travel to remote areas”, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Those who wish to donate money to further assist Ukrainian refugees in Moldova can find more information here.

Georgia

Municipal governments in Georgia have accommodated Ukrainians in hotels and paid the cost of their meals, while Georgian individuals and businesses have also been hosting and employing Ukrainian refugees. Former Georgian Defence Minister David Kezerashvili owns the Georgian private media company FormulaTV, and privately supports several local and Ukrainian aid organisations. Amongst his larger donations was $250,000 to fund a plane that transported humanitarian aid from the United States to Ukraine, and 500,000 Georgian Lari — equivalent to about $175,000 — to the Ukrainian Relief Fund established by his media channel FormulaTV.

Those who wish to donate money to further assist Ukrainian refugees in Georgia can find more information here.

Romania

Romania has set up welcoming camps at its borders with Ukraine, where refugees are greeted with warm meals and other material necessities. In addition, local and national governments, NGOs and private volunteers have established a large network designed to help feed, house and provide medical assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Those who wish to donate money to further assist Ukrainian refugees in Romania can find more information here.

Humanity and kindness will prevail

While human history has always been fraught with conflict and war, it has also borne witness to great acts of kindness and sympathy. What we can all hope for right now is a swift and peaceful end to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that innocent civilians will soon be able to return to their homes. Until then, Ukraine's neighbours seem willing and prepared to offer their assistance.