War in Ukraine has sparked people's willingness to help. The wave of solidarity is a source of hope and light during difficult times. However, it is important to help in a way that does not over-burden situation on-site or complicate the work of aid organisations. Here a re six ways we can help Ukrainians in a responsible way.
1. Help through Established Charities
The crises in Ukraine makes us worried and the desire to help is unforeseen. By donating to established and trustworthy organisations, you can trust that your help will be directed and delivered for those in most critical need. Below, You’ll find different organisations, that you can make a donation to.
In addition, you can be a volunteer in many ways such as collecting money, working in logistics or provide your special skills for common good. Ukrainians will need help for a long time.
You can also donate through Mobilepay to many different organizations. The link will take you to the FB publication, where you will find the donation numbers of various organizations.
- Save the Children - Helping Ukrainian Children
The organisation has been operating in Ukraine since 2014 and continues to provide emergency assistance to children and their families.
- Finnish Red Cross - Disaster Relief
The Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief provides disaster relief in Ukraine.
- SOS Children's Villages - Shelter and Education for Children
SOS Children’s Village continue its operations in Western Ukraine. It provides shelter and education for the children.
- Unicef - Help Ukrainian Children
Unicef helps children and families in Ukraine.
- UNHCR - Helping Refugees
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR helps people who are forced to leave their homes.
- Finn Church Aid - Food and Shelter
The Church's foreign aid provides food and basic supplies for families who have fled their homes.
If you want to help Ukrainian animals, The Finnish Animal Rights Organisation has list of different trustworthy organisations that are collecting donations and helping local animals.
2. Offer Home Accommodation
Would you like to offer your home as accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine? Wonderful! There are certain things you need to know before this. For example, asylum seekers need to be registered in reception center despite staying in home accommodation. This and other things to know can be found in our blog post about home accommodation!
3. Offer Help through Commu App
Commu is a free mobile app where you can request and give help in your local area. The help is offered and received from people to people. Commu's Facebook-page also has a free webinar on How to support refugees arriving to Finland.
You can download Commu app for free from app stores.
4. Spread Reliable Information
Sharing reliable information is an important way to help. You might, for example:
- Ask what kind of help Ukrainians arriving to Finland might need. Furniture, clothing or perhaps help with filling documents? Different Facebook groups are good places to connect with local Ukrainians. Share their needs with your friend group!
- If you live in Vakka-Suomi area, you can spread information about Mobiililuotsi. Mobiililuotsi has information about local services for Ukrainians in Finnish, English and Ukrainian.
- Get to know Ukrainian culture, art and literature! Did you read a great book by Ukrainian author? Share it! Local Ukrainian associations also organise events that are a good way to learn about the culture.
- Spread reliable information but be aware of disinformation. Below you can find tips on how to tell the difference.
Spreading information is important, but there is also a lot of misinformation about the situation in Ukraine circling online. Footage from previous conflicts or even from movies is been used to create misleading videos and images. It is important to only participate in sharing accurate and reliable information. Ask yourself these questions before sharing something:
- Who shared this knowledge?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
- Did this material spark a strong emotional reaction in me?
Especially if the material sparks an emotional reaction, it is advisable to step back and investigate its authenticity further. As a rule of thumb, established media and and public officers share verified information. At times media makes mistakes, but corrects information quickly. The best etiquette is: if you are unsure about the reliability, don't share it! Bellingcat updates a list of verified and debunked footage about Ukraine.
5. Remember This if Transporting Refugees from Ukrainian Border
Many people are willing to provide transportation to Finland. Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is requesting to inform them about the transportation in advance by filling a form (currently only in Finnish).
If you can't use the form, contact Migri by phone +358 295 463 300. It is important to provide the information in advance, so the officials can estimate the need for accommodation and other services. It is also important to speak the language or have a translator with you when travelling to the border.
It is important to note, however, that people are not encouraged to pick up refugees themselves. Without proper knowledge of the situation, well-meaning helpers can end up putting themselves or the locals in risk and burdening the difficult situation in the destination even further. It is always best to help through established organisations or on the spot in Finland.
6. Help in Vakka-Suomi Area
Do you live in Vakka-Suomi area? Wonderful! There are different ways to help in the area!
Mobiililuotsi
Mobiililuotsi is an app that helps people find information on services like transport, work and health services in Vakka-Suomi area. The team behind Know Your Hoods has also designed Mobiililuotsi, and we have worked hard during the last couple of weeks to translate Mobiililuotsi in Ukrainian. As a result, the app now has information on how to help people arriving from Ukraine, but also information for Ukrainians arriving to Finland in Finnish, English, and Ukrainian. We continue to add and translate content, but you can already find a list of ways to help in the app. You can download Mobiililuotsi for free from the Mobiililuotsi web page.
Supply Aid in Laitila
Join the Facebook Group Apua ukrainalaisille Laitilassa, where you will find information on how you can help.
Supply Aid in Uusikaupunki
Goods can be delivered to Rauhankatu 6, Uusikaupunki. On weekdays 12-19, Saturdays 12-14. The list of items that are needed is updated here: https://www.facebook.com/4olechkaolechka
Have you found a way to help? Let's build a more peaceful world together. <3
-Anna & the Know Your Hoods team
