Ukraine Crisis Appeal Signposting Information
Thank you for coming to our website to look for information on how to help Ukrainian Evacuees
Community First is receiving requests for information about donating and contributing to the humanitarian efforts to support the people of Ukraine. We are not collecting, coordinating or distributing donations but we are seeking to signpost to support being organised in Hampshire and through national appeals.
Financial donations are needed not just for the immediate future, but for the ongoing humanitarian response due to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people and the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine’s people and infrastructure. We would encourage you to contribute through one of the national emergency appeals set up by established charities who have the experience, know-how and resources to get the aid to where it is needed most.
The following UK charity agencies have launched emergency fundraising appeals:
The Disasters Emergency Committee – a network of 15 UK overseas aid charities has just launched their combined appeal. More detail at this link. The British Government will match fund donations from individuals to the DEC Appeal.
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières – MSF) have not launched a specific donations campaign, but you can read more about their work in Ukraine and neighbouring areas – the charity provides health services wherever there is conflict in the world – and make a general donation if you wish.
- You can support SWVG and other local organisations like TwoSaints, the Rural Refugee Network, Southampton Standuptoracism, Clear Southampton
- Nationally and internationally, there are many different organisations you can support;
- Voices of Children – a Ukrainian charity that helps children recover from the impact of war. See https://voices.org.ua/en/
- Sunflower of Peace – a US based non-profit providing medical aid in Ukraine. See https://www.
sunflowerofpeace.com/ - United Help Ukraine – provides medical supplies and humanitarian aid. See https://unitedhelpukraine.
org/ - British-Ukrainian Aid – they provide assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. See https://british-
ukrainianaid.org/ - UNHCR– UNHCR has launched an emergency appeal for Ukrainian refugees. See https://giving.unhcr.org/
en/ukraine/ - British Red Cross has launched an urgent appeal https://www.redcross.
org.uk/ - UNICEF Ukraine – is providing an emergency response to children affected by the conflict. See https://www.unicef.org.uk/
donate/donate-now-to-protect- children-in-ukraine/ - NCVO have set out some thoughts on what VCSE and civic society can do which is available on their website https://blogs.ncvo.
org.uk/2022/03/02/charities- civil-society-ukraine/
- Locally you can donate to Polski Klub Southampton. See a list of items they are seeking here: https://www.facebook.
com/PolskiKlubSouthampton/ - In Havant – a donation hub collecting humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine has been set up in the Meridian Shopping Centre. To help support refugees, local charity Stella’s Voice will be collecting essential items*, including good quality clean warm clothes for women, teenagers and children, over the counter medicines (aspirin, paracetamol, Ibuprofen, codeine, Calpol), nappies, wipes and other essential baby items, sanitary items, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorants, shampoo, soaps, towels, sleeping bags and blankets. Dried, packet or tinned food with at least six months expiry date on them will also be welcomed before trucks ship the donations direct to Moldova to help and support those in need. The donation point will be open Monday to Friday 9:30am–4pm and Saturdays 10am-2pm for the next eight weeks. Online donations are also welcomed at www.stellasvoice.org/
ukrainedonations. Stella’s Voice would like to hear from anyone who has a warehouse or similar size space to assist with storage. If you can help or would like to volunteer your time by way of a donation, please contact Stella’s Voice directly on 07811 091814. * This is a ‘live’ list that is being updated and adapted according to the need on the ground in Moldova due to constantly changing circumstances. - The following organisations are collecting donations in the New Forest area:
– Lymington, Hordle & Sway here and here
– Lyndhurst here
– Brockenhurst here
– Fordingbridge here
– Ringwood here
– New Milton here
- In Emsworth, Bridge To Unity is collecting via their Facebook page; this group was originally formed in support of Afghan evacuees
Phrasebooks
Please note that there are now two separate support email addresses for Ukraine queries depending on either the East Hants or Havant area, please see below;
East Hants: ukrainesupport@easthants.gov.uk
Havant: ukrainesupportHAV@havant.gov.uk
Our support locally (Petersfield and outlying villages) to hosts through Petersfield Agencies Working Together is as follows
- We have now held a meeting with the local Petersfield Area Churches Together who are looking to provide one or more day centres – more details will follow
- We have a Youth Centre willing to welcome young Ukrainians
- We have a possible centre that can be set up as an afterschool extra English Tuition with refreshments provided 5 days a week
- Welcome Hampers will be available to either pick up or be delivered to your door step
- Many of the local services are ready to help you with extra food, school uniforms, counselling, transport to and from Petersfield, trips out and much much more.
- Our local website page is packed with useful information and can be accessed via petersfield resource hub – Search (bing.com)
East Hants Info:
It is vital that you have registered on the government portal to declare your interest as hosts. Please click on the following link to ‘register your interest’ if you haven’t done this on the official government website. Failure to do this would mean that the government funding to support these refugees would not forthcoming. I am hoping that you are all using the official route, but just checking with you in case. Click on Support for Ukraine | East Hampshire District Council (easthants.gov.uk)
You are probably aware that home visits and DBS checks can be made after your Ukrainian Guests have arrived if necessary. These will not hold up the process.
Within the official process, there is a provision of a £200 cash card that will be provided to the adult of the Ukrainian family to purchase whatever they wish, as well as the £350 monthly payment which will be handled by EHDC and paid to the hosts.
There are believed to be around 138 Ukrainians currently being processed to stay with around 80 hosts in East Hampshire.
Whilst there is not much detail regarding education and medical at the moment, it is believed that some schools are taking Ukrainian pupils even when the school is full. (we hope to have more information on this soon)
Here are some further Government documents for information:
Some guidance from Citizens Advice on hosting a Ukraine refugee: https://www.citizensadvice.
Government guidance for Sponsors: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/
Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/
Barnardo’s Ukrainian Support Helpline – Offering free confidential advice to families fleeing the conflict: 08001488586 / ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk
If you would like to talk to your child about events in Ukraine, there are a few resources below that may help you to find the right language to discuss what can be for many difficult subjects. You will need to consider what language is age appropriate.
