On 24 February 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This unprovoked, brutal aggression has already claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and soldiers. There are thousands of wounded, hundreds of thousands of people have already been forced to flee abroad and hundreds of thousands are trying to cross the borders.
Every day civilians die, thousands of people are forced to live underground for fear of bombing, with no resources in besieged cities. It is a humanitarian tragedy on an unprecedented scale in Europe since WWII.
UBC is an organization that has always supported the values of democracy, peace, freedom, respect for the law, equality, cooperation and friendship between neighbours. We cannot remain indifferent when innocent inhabitants of the Ukrainian cities are dying from bombings.
Many UBC cities are helping Ukrainian cities by sending e.g. buses, money, medicines, food, water and sewage equipment, building machines and many other supplies. 15.000 EUR was donated from UBC to Lviv for the help for internal refugees.
UBC would like to collect this information from our cities and share it in UBC website www.ubc.net and our social media.
Information about how your city is helping Ukraine should be sent to us at irene.pendolin@ubc.net.
The information is published here below.
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Arendal
The City of Arendal relies on the national center in helping the refugees from Ukraine: https://www.udi.no/en/situation-in-ukraine/
There is information for Ukrainian citizens who want to travel to Norway or apply for residence in Norway from abroad, as well as information about helping Ukrainian refugees.
Cēsis
Cēsis set up a help center for war refugees. You can find a contact phone number at: https://www.ukraine-latvia.com/#ask-for-help where war refugees can apply for help. Many residents organize the collection and delivery of all necessary items to Ukraine, residents are ready to share their housing.
Darłowo
Darłowo for Ukraine. On the city website there is information on places for refugees in Darłowo schools, contact details to the Crisis Management Department, practical information for refugees, collection of goods, and more.
https://www.darlowo.pl/ua
Elbląg
The 24-hour telephone number 55 221 21 20 accepts calls from people offering accommodation, transport, medical care, psychological care and other forms of assistance. The number also accepts requests for assistance.
General information about the assistance of the City of Elbląg to refugees from Ukraine: https://elblag.eu/index.php/pomoc-dla-obywateli-ukrainy
The Food Bank accepts and issues donations for Ukrainian citizens: https://elblag.eu/index.php/pomoc-dla-obywateli-ukrainy/17335-bank-zywnosci-dla-ukrainy
The Elbląg Center for Social Services runs a “community store”. Collected items are donated as in-kind assistance to refugees from Ukraine: https://elblag.eu/index.php/pomoc-dla-obywateli-ukrainy/17288-sklep-ecus-zbiera-i-przekazuje
Gargždai
There is a centre in Gargždai where people can bring their things for refugees, volunteers are working there. In Klaipėda there is a common refugee centre providing educational information, food bank, hygienical supplies.
In Klaipėda the common help and registration centre for refugees are mostly coordinated by Red Cross.
https://klaipeda.diena.lt/naujienos/klaipeda/miesto-pulsas/klaipedoje-pabegeliu-centro-apgultis-1068552
https://migracija.lrv.lt/lt/naudinga-informacija/ukraina-ukrayina-ukraina-ukraine/informatsiia-dlia-gromadian-ukrayini
Gdańsk
Gdańsk Pomaga Ukrainie – Gdańsk Helps Ukraine
The City of Gdańsk is organising an action “Gdansk Helps Ukraine”. All the needed information can be found on the dedicated website in Polish, English, Ukrainian and Russian: https://ukraina.gdanskpomaga.pl/ .
The Refugees can find find most important addresses (in Ukrainian language) and fill in a registration form: “I need help”. The inhabitants can finacially support the action there, and fill in a registration form “I want to help”, where they can indicate how they would like to help the refugees (accommodation, child care, psychological support, etc.). There is also information about places and institutions were the collections of food, clothes, medical supplies, etc. are conducted.
The announcements (in Polish, Ukrainian, German and English) concerning jobs, accomodation, education, etc. are available at: https://pomoc.gdansk.pl/
List of donated equipment by the City of Gdańsk.
Gdynia
The City of Gdynia has prepared a guide in which the refugees can easily and quickly find the necessary information about their stay in Poland and the support offered by Gdynia.
>> https://www.gdynia.pl/gdynia-dla-ukrainy,8623/pomoc-dla-obywateli-ukrainy-niezbednik-informacyjny,563567
The City of Gdynia has provided the following help to Ukraine:
• On the 3rd day of the warfare, in agreement with the volunteer centre in Przemyśl, a full coach of sanitary supplies was sent to Ukraine.
• In the 1st week of the warfare – two shipments (by vans) of the most essential products (including protective clothing).
• Two technical transports to Zhytomyr – more than 150 power generators in total.
• Cooperation within the metropolitan area – humanitarian transports to Lviv.
• Transfer of funds (PLN 200,000) for medical purchases.
• Donation of an ambulance and two buses.
• Humanitarian transport (full truckload) to Zhytomyr – sanitary and medical products, medical beds.
Gdynia has provided the following help to Ukraine:
- On the 3rd day of the warfare, in agreement with the volunteer centre in Przemyśl, a full coach of sanitary supplies was sent to Ukraine.
- In the 1st week of the warfare – two shipments (by vans) of the most essential products (including protective clothing).
- Two technical transports to Zhytomyr – more than 150 power generators in total.
- Cooperation within the metropolitan area – humanitarian transports to Lviv.
- Transfer of funds (PLN 200,000) for medical purchases.
- Donation of an ambulance and two buses.
- Humanitarian transport (full truckload) to Zhytomyr – sanitary and medical products, medical beds.
Guldborgsund
In Guldborgsund Municipality as well as in all Danish municipalities we are being supported and coordinated by Danish authorities and the Danish National Association of Municipalities, KL.
The other day KL has just announced that 85 out of 98 Danish municipalities has pledged room for 15.000 refugees, and that this number would increase over the next days.
However, despite any announced number it is very much the approach that there will be rooms and beds for any Ukrainian refugee arriving to our Guldborgsund Municipality and to other Danish municipalities.
Danish volunteers have already been in Poland along the Ukrainian border to assist transport of refugees to Denmark.
Simon Hansen, Mayor of Guldborgsund Municipality, has provided a public statement saying. “Of course, we also support the Ukrainians in this matter, and in continuation of the large demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen yesterday, we have chosen to hoist the Ukrainian flag today to show our sympathy with the Ukrainian people and our partners in Ukraine”.
The partners in Ukraine that Simon Hansen refers to are nine twinning municipalities to Guldborgsund Municipality located in the South-Western Ukraine in three regions: Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia and Chernivsti.
This twinning started in late 2020 and due to the COVID-19 crisis we only have visited each other at on-line study tours and on-line workshops.
Simon Hansen has sent support-letters to the nine mayors.
In Guldborgsund, a number of volunteer activities are currently being developed in order to support Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees; for example, collecting clothes etc.
Both individual citizens and local associations as well as Ukrainians living in Guldborgsund Municipality are involved in this.
More information: Frede Danborg, fd@guldborgsund.dk
Hamburg
In the city of Hamburg there is a huge network of public and non-public institutions helping Ukrainians to arrive. Most of these institutions, organizations and processes had been in place already before 24 February but some new structures – like an Ukrainian relief organization (Hilfe für Ukraine – Ukrainischer Hilfsstab (hilfe-ua.de)) as well as many private initiatives – are also emerging.
The city of Hamburg has set-up a new website which informs about the processes but it is only in German or Ukraine: Ukraine Krieg: Offizielle Informationen aus Hamburg – hamburg.de
In April the Mayor of Hamburg and Vitali Klitschko from Kyiv signed a Pact for Solidarity and Future. Ever since Hamburg mobilized different kind of goods in the support for Kyiv and the Ukraine. The city also send a relief supply to Warsaw.
Helsinki
The City of Helsinki cooperates closely with the governmental organisations in helping Ukrainian refugees. Finnish Immigration Centre presents information regarding the situation in Ukraine https://migri.fi/en/-/frequently-asked-questions-regarding-the-situation-in-ukraine
The Social Health Services at the City of Helsinki have a page in English and Ukranian: Information for those arriving to Helsinki from Ukraine – Вказівки для осіб, які прибувають у Гельсінкі з України https://www.hel.fi/uutiset/en/social-services-and-health-care/information-for-those-arriving-to-helsinki-from-ukraine
Jonava
All the information concerning help for the Ukrainian refugees in Jonava city is available at: https://jonavaukrainai.lt/
At https://www.jonavosspc.lt/gimk/imigrantu-informacinis-centras/ you can find contact details of the institutions, help and reception centres, etc.
Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä Reception Centre (capacity 300 beds in apartment-based accommodation as from 3 March 2022)
Tomi Martikainen, Director of Jyväskylä Reception Centre
tomi.martikainen@redcross.fi
mobile +358 40 500 6473
Integration services, City of Jyväskylä
Väinönkatu 1a B, 2nd floor, 40100 Jyväskylä, Tel. +358 14 266 3423
Service supervisor, mobile +358 50 3312737
Leading social worker, mobile +358 50 4652605
Kalmar
The number 700-1500 refugees to Kalmar is a first approximation of the total number.
The Swedish Migration Agency (who are coordinating the municipalities support to refugees)
Link to information about refugees from Ukraine The situation in Ukraine – Swedish Migration Agency (migrationsverket.se)
Contact number: +46 771 235 235
Stena Line
It is possible to apply for free transport with Stena Line from Gdynia – Karlskrona under certain conditions.
Link to info (in Swedish needs a google translation) Stena Line: Information om konflikten i Ukraina (stenaline.se)
Kaunas
Important information for Ukrainian Citizens is placed on the website: http://www.kaunas.lt/2022/03/svarbi-informacija/ua/
There are guidelines concerning required documents, and how to proceed after crossing the border.
Also relevant links and contact details are presented.
Number of Ukrainians that have arrived in Kaunas: 10,650 persons came to Kaunas Registration Center according to the data of 01/06/2022.
Ukrainians living in the premises of the municipality: Kaunas city municipality has accommodated 141 people, including 23 adults and 118 children, of whom 93 were under care (the number is changing).
The municipality is refurbishing more apartments (repairing, buying furniture, household items), which will relocate and accommodate Ukrainians in the future.
Ukrainian pupils at school and kidergartens (number of children and number of educational institutions): A total of 1306 children are currently attending Kaunas educational institutions, of which 186 are in pre-school education. Children from Ukraine are provided with free school meals.
Ukrainians having applied for financial support by the end of April: By 31/05/2022, a total of 4,141 families had applied, and benefits were paid for 359,646 Eur.
Cards issued for free transport: 6,534 cards were issued until 01/06/2022.
Ukrainians registered with the employment service, how many of them have found a job, how many work individually: According to the data of 01/06/2022, 1,066 war refugees were registered in the Kaunas Branch of the Employment Service. 584 people are currently applying for a job:
- 21 persons in employed status;
- 776 unemployment status;
- 36 retirement age status;
- 21 registered status
- 217 participants in temporary employment
- 445 persons became employed or occupied in other ways in Kaunas County since the beginning of the war:
- 68 persons employed on a fixed-term basis;
- 556 employed for an indefinite period;
- 149 persons participate in active labor market policy measures (subsidized employment, apprenticeships, vocational training).
About 30 people in Kaunas who have a specific job offer are currently processing documents for employment.
Other important information about the support provided, promotions, campaigns
The campaign “Not with tears, but with works” was initiated in Kaunas. At the premises of Kaunas City warehouses the aid is constantly collected for both – refugees living in Kaunas and sister cities in Ukraine. Aid packages are currently being formed for the city of Kharkiv. Photos of Ukrainian photographers from Kharkiv are on display at the main street of Kaunas – Laisvės Avenue.
The Ukrainian school “Heroiam Slava“, opened by the non-governmental school „Herojus“, has been operating in Kaunas since the beginning of the war. Almost 200 children from various parts of Ukraine – Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Dnipro, Kyiv – are already studying in this institution. All the lessons are taught in their mother tongue by several dozen teachers from Ukraine.
10 passenger city buses were handed over to Ukrainian cities, as well as 8 ambulances and 5 former police cars with humanitarian support. Several trucks were sent loaded with food, medicine and other essentials.
The leaders of Kaunas municipality have agreed on a new consignment, which will consist of municipal machinery and construction materials for the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities.
The city of Kaunas donated 60 000 EUR to the Kharkiv National Opera and Ballet Theater in Lithuania. It allowed 262 opera soloists, choristers, ballet dancers, the Kharkiv orchestra, service staff and children of artists to stay in Lithuania and continue their tours.
A shelf of Ukrainian books has been established in Kaunas V. Kudirka Public Library. It is constantly filled with books for the Ukrainian community in their native language. The collection was complemented by a gift from the partner city of Lutsk – half a hundred children’s books in Ukrainian.
City institutions offer Ukrainians free events, sports activities, non-formal education and education. They are invited by Kaunas sports schools, theaters, concert institutions, museums, libraries and cultural centers.
Kaunas Education Innovation Center and Vytautas Magnus University organize free intensive and short-term Lithuanian language courses for Ukrainians fleeing the war. The aim of these courses is to form the Lithuanian language skills of learners, which will help them to live in Lithuania.
There are many public initiatives: 1. “Millennium Children’s Day Camps” on Sundays (about 500 children + mothers participate), 2. Kaunas Ukrainians also can use spaces in the Central Lithuanian Post Office for their needs (mainly artists), 3. “Kino Pavasaris” (“Cinema Spring”) organizes special films that are dubbed / subtitled in Ukrainian and completely free; 4 Support campaigns were organized by the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius Academy of Arts (art fair). The city’s museums, libraries, concert and cultural facilities open to free events.
The Unity and Solidarity Action “Freedom Shines” took place in Unity Square. Among the participants of the event is Andrius Palionis, Deputy Mayor of Kaunas City Municipality. He called on the large crowd to fully support and endorse Ukraine, which defends not only its country but also Europe as a whole, as well as democracy and human values.
During the extraordinary meeting of the Council, the city partnership agreements concluded in 1999 and 2007 with Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg were terminated by unanimous decision. Although Kaunas has not had any joint projects, ongoing activities or commitments in these Russian cities recently, it has become another symbol of solidarity with Ukraine.
Lists of Kaunas city awards have been reviewed. Russian artist S. Roldugin has been deprived of Santaka’s Badge of Honor. The person was recently added to the European Union’s list of people sanctioned for their close ties to the Russian regime and Vladimir Putin’s participation in money laundering schemes and active support for Russian decision-makers responsible for destabilizing Ukraine.
The working group for the commemoration of the names of Kaunas Municipality approved the initiative to change the name of the Chechen Square in Kaunas. The current place name is associated with the first Chechen president, Dzhokhar Dudayev, who fought for Chechen independence. It is planned to erect a memorial on this site and rename the space to Chechnya’s Independence Square accordingly, so as not to create ambiguity.
Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis and the President of the Union of Baltic Cities (UBC) Mantas Jurgutis have joined the Joint Call from European Mayors for European governments and the European Commission to step up their efforts to end the war in Europe. The declaration strongly condemns Russia’s hostilities and armed aggression against Ukraine and its people. It is emphasized that international tribunals have a duty to record and gather evidence of crimes and to punish perpetrators. It also calls on Russia to open up real humanitarian corridors for the safe departure of civilians from fired and bombed cities, to act in solidarity and to take decisions on the reception and resettlement of refugees in Europe. The European mayors are also demanding an end to all trade relations with Russia and Belarus until the aggressor’s army withdraws from Ukraine.
Kolding
When refugees arrive in Denmark, they need to seek asylum by contacting the Police. After that, the distribution of refugees to the Danish municipalities are decided by The Ministry of Immigration and Integration.
You can get in contact with the Ministry via Uim@uim.dk
More information is available on Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet (uim.dk)
Koszalin
Information for Ukrainian citizens seeking shelter and assistance in Koszalin, as well as information for people who want to provide free assistance / accommodation to Ukrainian citizens as well as pedagogical and psychological help are at: https://www-koszalin-pl.translate.goog/pl/page/pomoc-dla-ukrainy-dopomoga-ukrayini?_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=pl&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Kotka
The Finnish Immigration Office is responsible for coordinating the assignment of asylum seekers to the reception centres located around the country. Asylum applications can only be submitted personally in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Office has put together a list of answers to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the situation in Ukraine on website: https://migri.fi/en/-/frequently-asked-questions-regarding-the-situation-in-ukraine
City of Kotka is involved in helping the Ukrainians citizens and refugees. It is proposed to the city board that Kotka gives to the state and people of Ukraine 50 000 euros.
Luleå
Swedish Migration Agency is coordinating the work connected to migration flow:
Startpage – Swedish Migration Agency (migrationsverket.se)
On this page there is also information about the situation in Ukraine and what applies to people who are coming to Sweden in connection with the conflict.
Malmö
Immigrants/refugees that comes to Malmö, will be helped like in other countries in the EU, ie. registration within 3 months to receive the authorization to stay in Sweden long term.
All these matters are managed, also locally through the Migration authorities (not the city). The city have been asked by the state to make a housing inventory and to prepare housing owned by the city mainly to be available to refugees from Ukraine when and where it is possible, as it was already done some years ago with the massive influx of Syrian refugees. Also private house owners etc are being asked by the Migration authorities.
https://malmo.se/Ukraina-och-laget-i-omvarlden.html The web linke gives info in Sweden to Swedes on how to support with clothes, donations, housing etc.
Mielno
On the website there is information for the refugees what help they can get in Mielno, and also info for the inhabitants who want to host the refugees, as well as information about collection of goods.
https://www.mielno.pl/informacje/pomagamy-ukrainie
Panevėžys
Contact information:
Migration Department
+370 52717112; +370 70767000; info@migracija.gov.lt
Lithuanian Red Cross Panevėžys Branch –
humanitarian aid and food packages
+370 62695165; panevezys@redcross.lt
Employment service – recruitment
+370 67994915 (Russian); +370 61038727 (English)
Food bank – food packages
+370 64609404; justina@maistobankas.lt
Helpdesk of the Order of Malta – help with clothes, things
+370 62081612
Volunteering
+370 61226485
Currency exchange – fixed exchange rate of 40 hryvnia / euro
+370 69188992
Passenger transport (free monthly ticket in Panevėžys)
+370 845454302
Education Coordinator for schools or kindergartens for children
+370 45501380
Pori
Here is the contact information to the Finnish Red Cross reception center for refugees in Pori:
Niina Mitikka, the manager of the reception center, e-mail: niina.mitikka@punainenristi.fi phone: +35840 778 4897
Pruszcz Gdański
Municipal Crisis Management Center in Pruszcz Gdańśki provides information concerning help for Ukrainians, volunteering, e-mail: gcrum@pruszcz-gdanski.pl, registration form:
https://forms.gle/FhRTyqfYaMXxzYoN6
The Culture and Sports Center collects items.
More information: https://pruszcz–gdanski-pl.translate.goog/portal-aktualnosci-lista.qbpage?articleId=483175&_x_tr_sl=pl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=pl&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Reda
Reda in solidarity with Ukraine. On the website: https://miasto.reda.pl/category/reda-solidarna-z-ukraina/ there is useful information for the refugees: how to use medical care, how to help, legal assistance for Ukrainian citizens, and more.
Regional Development Agency in Bielsko-Biała, Poland
The city of Bielsko-Biała is expecting over 1,500 people (mainly women with children) and is looking for the field beds and mattresses.
More information: pdaczkowska@arrsa.pl
Riga
Contact telephone number for the reception of refugees in Latvia: +371 27 380 380
From March 2, the state unified 24-hour information phone +371 27 380 380 in Ukrainian, Russian, English and Latvian provide centralized information on assistance and support available to war refugees in Latvia (employment, psychological assistance, legal support, interpreter, health care, social support, etc.). services).
Contact telephone number for the reception of refugees in Riga: +371 800 00 800
From March 2, the telephone number of the Neighborhood Resident Center +371 800 00 800 is open 24 hours a day. Citizens of Ukraine seeking asylum can receive information about the services and support of Riga Municipality in English and Russian. E-mail: cak.ua@riga.lv. Outside office hours and on weekends, the call center only handles questions about receiving support for Ukrainian refugees.
Coordination of housing issues
Residents of Ukraine who come to Latvia and need housing should contact a nearby State Border Guard official or call +371 67 913 568 or +371 67 913 569.
Riga also donated 11 buses to Kiyv. The buses were filled in with humanitarian aid – medicines, food, hygiene products, clothing, baby food, other baby products, household appliances, pet food and more.
For more information on how to get support and how to provide it (including housing), visit https://ukraine-latvia.com/
Rostock
Erstankunft für Geflüchtete (Landing contact for refugees)
Amt für Jugend, Soziales und Asyl (Department on Youth, Social Affairs and Asylum)Phone
+49 381 381 5009
Email: aufnahme@rostock.de
(contact phone out of service time: Phone: +49 – 0381 – 381 3711)
Rumia
On the website: https://rumia.eu/ListaStron/Wszystkie/pomoc-dla-ukrainy there are information leaflets in Ukrainian language for the refugees, also news about social actions, clubhouse for children, psychological help in the city of Rumia, etc.
Sejny
The City of Sejny collects money, goods for the Ukrainian refugees and equipment for firefighters.
1. Fundraising for Ukraine
https://www.siepomaga.pl/sejny
2. Collection of food and industrial products
https://powiat.sejny.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=13&menu=7&sub=3&dzialy=7&ak…
https://powiat.sejny.pl/asp/pl_start.asp?typ=13&menu=7&sub=3&dzialy=7&ak…
3. Help firefighters – equipment
https://www.gov.pl/web/kppsp-sejny/akcja-przekazywanie-sprzetu-ratniczeg…
4. Foundation „Borderland”
https://www.facebook.com/plimitede.sejny/photos/a.10150666630649598/1015…
Słupsk
Special dedicated city of Słupsk website in Polish and Ukrainian languages https://www.slupsk-ukrainie.pl/pl/home has four units: „ I need help”, „I need a job”, „I want to help”, „I want to suport financially”. They contain questionnaires and useful information.
Sopot
On the city website Sopot informs about collections of money for the refugees https://www.sopot.pl/aktualnosc/9627/ruszyla-zbiorka-pieniedzy-na-wsparcie-uchodzcow. The inhabitans of Sopot can fill in the questionnaire, how they want to help – offer the goods, shelter, job or work as a volunteer: https://www.sopot.pl/aktualnosc/9632/zobacz-jak-mozesz-pomoc
Tallinn
Tallinn opened a special centre for war refugees that combines the services of different municipal and state agencies, this is the first place to contact. The address of the centre is Niine 2, Tallinn, phone: +3726000677 (workdays from 9 to 5) and +372 1247 (24h)
Tartu
The city of Tartu created a subpage with information for Ukrainian refugees:
https://www.tartu.ee/en/information-ukrainian-refugees
This information is a subject to change. A special reception center is being set up in the coming days and informaton about it will follow.
Information number for the whole Estonia is +372 600 1247.
Turku
Help and support from the Turku Crisis Center for Ukrainian individual clients and families: individual customers and families affected by the war have a chance to counselling with crisis workers tel. 040 8223961 / Appointment at the Turku crisis center.
More information: https://www.turku.fi/en/news/2022-02-25_discussion-and-crisis-support
Ukrainian Association in Finland: https://ukrainians.fi/en/; https://www.facebook.com/ukrainian.association.in.finland
To aid the Ukrainian people, the City of Turku has donated 150 000 euros through the Finnish Red Cross.
Umeå
On the page of the Migration Agency: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/About-the-Migration-Agency/The-situation-in-Ukraine.html there is information about the situation in Ukraine and what applies to people who are coming to Sweden in connection with the conflict.
In the City of Umeå you can contact directly: https://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Contact-us/Visit-us/Ortsdata-engelska/Umea—Centre-for-National-Service.html
Ustka
The city of Ustka website informes about collecting money for the refugees from Ukraine at: https://www.ustka.pl/pl/news/content/7973 There is also invitation to a clubhouse for children from Ukraine, https://www.ustka.pl/pl/news/content/7971 and a request for items for children who come from from the small child care home in Ukraine https://www.ustka.pl/pl/news/content/7967
