Ukrainian citizens and residents started to leave the country to seek safety when Russian troops increased the threat of an imminent armed attack on the country, which sadly materialised on 24 February prompting thousands of them to flee in a hurry towards neighbouring countries, notably Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Lithuania. Below you will find resources to find help if you find yourself in the situation of escaping the war in Ukraine.
UNHCR support for refugees from #Ukraine
The UN Refugee Agency is working with governments in neighbouring countries, calling on them to keep borders open to those seeking safety and protection.
Visit the page for the country you are going to arrive or you are in:
In any other country: UNHCR – Help Service.
Here are some additional interesting resources per country. Please note that the situation is changing rapidly and new initiatives are emerging. Here you will find official sources of information as well as citizens initiatives. This page will be regularly updated. If you want to share additional resources with us, share them through the Ask a Question page.
Hungary
- Hungary introduces temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens arriving from Ukraine and to third-country nationals lawfully residing on the territory of Ukraine. English article from Hungarian newspaper, Telex with practical information for Ukrainian refugees
- Hungarian Association for Migrants information for Ukrainian refugees
- Helsinki Committee information for Ukrainian refugees in four languages
- Official Facebook page of the Embassy of Ukraine to Hungary
- Ukrainian refugees can travel free on the Hungarian trainline (Hungarian article)
- Hungarian Helsinki Committee, professional and free legal assistance, from counselling to representation. They published a guide for people fleeing to Hungary in Ukrainian and English. They also offer information on the new decree.
- Support, shelter for Queers in Hungary/Budapest (queerukrainehungary@protonmail.com)
- Facebook group about transportation and accommodation sharing in Budapest, and from the borders to Budapest
Poland
- Polish government website page dedicated for Ukrainian citizens seeking refuge. It has a list of checkpoints and information in Ukrainian language.
- Fundacja Ocalenie provides information on evacuation from Ukraine in Ukrainian and Polish.
- On the border there will be soon special offices/buildings which will help refugees (it will be done by government, food, temporary shelter, medical help) – in these cities: Dorohusk, Dołhobyczów, Zosin, Hrebenne, Korczowa, Medyka, Budomierz, Krościenko.
- This bus company offers to transport refugees and accommodation (Facebook page).
- A newspaper for Ukrainian citizens in Poland: https://pl.naszwybir.pl/
- Office for Foreigners – Help for Ukrainian citizens: https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina2
- https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina
- „I’m helping Ukraine” if you are looking for help: https://pomagamukrainie.gov.pl/
- „Our Choice” Foundation established by Ukrainians and their Polish friends to help Ukrainian migrants in Poland: https://naszwybor.org.pl/
- Foundation for Polish-Ukrainian Cooperation “U-WORK”: https://u-work.pl/
- Legal support:
– https://www.pomocprawna.org/ru
– https://interwencjaprawna.pl/ru/
– https://www.facebook.com/groups/prawniczkiiprawnicyukraincom/about - „Ukrainian House in Warsaw” – a place where foreigners, especially Ukrainian citizens, feel at home
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Rzeszów
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Lublin
- Polish Red Cross
- Polish Center for International Aid
- Foundation EMIC Supporting foreigners and foreigners, refugees and refugees, migrants and migrants in Poland
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Gdańsk
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Cracow
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Łódź
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Poznań
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Warszaw
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Wrocław
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Katowice
- Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking help in the city of Bydgoszcz
- Foundation Ocalenie, Guide for Ukrainian refugees
- UA-PL transport group – Facebook group dedicated to organizing and sharing transport for Ukrainian refugees
- Information from Polish media in Ukrainian language
Romania
- Kit from the International Organisation for Migrants in Romania – Useful information for people entering Romania from Ukraine (in English and Ukrainian)
- Dopomoha Platform – developed by Code for Romania with information and support for Ukrainians that want to enter Romania
- UNHRC Romania – The UN Refugee Agency in Romania
- UNION Romania – The UN International Organisation for Migrants in Romania
- Romanian National Council for Refugees – CNRR
- JRS Romania – Official government website about asylum
- LOGS Group for Social Initiatives
- Refugees.ro Platform – containing a map and a database with types of assistance provided by Romanian citizens
- UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – United for Ukraine – a Facebook group where Romanian people mobilise with anything they have (providing food, shelter, transport) (200k members).
- Call Center (on WhatsApp) for information about asylum and information for Ukrainians (English, Russian and Ukrainian): +40 765 861 888. Call Center for social and psychological counselling for Ukrainians who have already taken refuge in Romania +40 745 139 747.
Slovakia
- Ukraine-Slovakia SOS (NGO). Facebook page and Hotline: +421911201889 (Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber). Mail: ukrajina.sk.sos@gmail.com -Charity fund “Ukraine-Slovakia SOS”, civic association “SME SPOLU” are coordinating humanitarian aids from Slovakia to Ukraine
- ČESMAD Slovakia: Rail Company of the Slovak Republic offers free transport in all trains for Ukrainian citizens who can provide a valid passport.
- https://pomocpreukrajinu.sk/ Webpage set up by the Ministry of Transport and construction of the Slovak Republic offering free accommodation for people fleeing from Ukraine.
- NGOs offering support to refugees in Slovakia; Človek v ohrození and Mareena
- Collective Who will help Ukraine (formed by above-mentioned organisations) from Slovakia provides assistance with accommodation, to get in touch with them fill out this form.
Lithuania
- Official information and resources from the Migration Department of Lithuania.
- Eurodesk Lithuania launched a sub-page on the national portal with all necessary practical information for Ukrainians and Belarusians in one place. The information is available in English, Russian and Lithuanian languages, and it is continuously updated.
- National Volunteer Support Coordination Center. Provides general assistance. If you are in a need for accommodation or any other assistance you can get in touch with them by filling out this form.
Germany
- Deutsche Bahn helps refugees to travel from Poland to Germany free of charge.
- Visa regulations for Ukrainians coming to Germany (in Ukrainian language)
- Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem: NGO helping asylum seekers.
- Handbook for asylum seekers in Germany
- List of Berlin-based lawyers specialised in asylum: https://berlin-hilft.com/rechtsanwaeltinnen-asyl-aufenthaltsrecht/
- Immigration specialists in berlin: Ina Pilkington (INA@expatsinwonderland.com) and Peer Rogge (PEER@expatsinwonderland.com)
Czech Republic
This site contains all the necessary information in one place
- Ministry of the interior site (shelters and more, tel: +420 974 801 802)
- For refugees who need a ride from borders: this site.
- Embassy of Ukraine in Prague (they inform about evacuation trains to Prague
- FB group to support refugees (shelter & transport)
- Accommodation from Czech Refugees Welcome and their form for the ones seeking a place to stay
- Association for Integration and Migration – NGO offering legal, social and psychosocial counselling.
- Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU): NGO offering accommodation and legal help
Austria
- OEBB, Austrian transport company offering free transportation.
- Facebook page where people get in touch to find help to cross the border, accommodation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tuma.austria
Cyprus
- In Cyprus, the government announced the opening of a bank account where money is deposited for people in Ukraine. Additionally, the government is collecting supplies for the UKraineans. All information can be found here.
- The Youth Board of Cyprus is also collecting supplies. More information to be found here
Estonia
- Estonian government website page dedicated for Ukrainian citizens and Estonian citizens living in Ukraine. Provides official information and resources.
France
Portugal
- Information about the International Protection Status (English)
- Information about International Protection status for unaccompanied minors (English)
- List of SEF, imigration and border agency offices by region: https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/balcoes-atendimento/
- Asylum Information Database (AIDA) for Portugal– information about the asylum procedure in English
- Portuguese Council for Refugees – Information about services and resources after resettlement from (Portuguese only– use Google Translate if possible)
Spain
- Office for asylum and refuge – Official information about the asylum procedure and list of NGOs providing support and legal help.
- Helping Ukrainians in Barcelona and beyond. Facebook group for information support for Ukrainians.
- Info help Ukrainians in Barcelona. Telegram group chat for help in Barcelona. With the presence of volunteers, who publish up-to-date information.
- Refugee Assistance Center Saier (Telephone: +32 931 53 28 00).
Italy
- Ministero dell’Interno: official government information about asylum procedure
- UNHCR Italy
- Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati (CIR)
- PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN ITALY
Bulgaria
- Facebook group offering information about accommodation and support to refugees
Latvia
- Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem – NGO helping asylum seekers.
