Responding to the Crisis in Ukraine
The humanitarian situation in Ukraine is deteriorating rapidly with millions of people already displaced and in desperate need of aid. Irish charities, community groups and NGOs are working around the clock both in Ireland and abroad to assist people affected by the crisis.
The best way to help is to support registered charities. Dóchas is maintaining a list of Irish charities assisting people in Ukraine.
The Wheel is in contact with various Government Departments and State agencies to ensure that local charities and community groups are supported to assist people who may be arriving in Ireland from Ukraine.
Here is a list of resources that may be of use to anyone who is in contact with people arriving from Ukraine.
Free Counselling for Ukrainians Living in Ireland (Aug 2023)
Turn2me, a national mental health charity and a member of The Wheel, is offering all Ukrainians staying in Ireland up to 6 free one-to-one counselling sessions. The charity is also offering free online support groups for Ukrainians. The initiative is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation Ireland, as part of the Ireland for Ukraine project.
Sessions will be conducted by a mental health professional, in English. Ukrainians will be connected to psychotherapists who have experience working with clients who have been through a traumatic event.
Follow the below steps to avail of these free counselling sessions:
- Go to www.turn2me.ie
- Click on “Create a new account”
- Input all your details as directed, for “Company code / Refugee Code” Input “UKR”
- Once registration is completed, all counselling slots within Turn2Me's free service, and their weekly support group will be available for registration in advance of the scheduled date and time.
Turn2Me is delighted to be able to offer this service to Ukrainians living in Ireland. Therapy is vital for people who have been through a trauma like fleeing war. Turn2Me's psychotherapists will help them deal with this trauma and process it in a healthy environment. For more information or to sign up to these services, follow the above steps on Turn2Me.ie
Please note, Turn2Me also offers free counselling sessions to non-Ukrainians, on Turn2Me.ie. The above process is to pair Ukrainians with psychotherapists who have experience dealing with war trauma.
Offer a Home, Offer Hope - New Programme to Support Those Fleeing Way in Ukraine (Dec 2022)
Under this new programme, local authorities are appealing for offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for use as temporary accommodation for those arriving from Ukraine.
A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties offered. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local authority in which the property is located.
The local authority in which the property is located will be the point of contact for owners throughout the offer and assessment process.
Local authorities will match suitable properties to Ukrainian beneficiaries and can support in agreeing licence agreement and other arrangements.
Full details of the call for properties are available at offerahome.ie where offers can be made.
Know Your Rights Guide (Oct 2022)
The Children's Rights Alliance Know Your Rights Guide is now available in both Ukrainian and Russian.
Know Your Rights is a plain-English information guide for children and young people about their legal rights and entitlements in Ireland. It was published in 2019 and has since been updated to reflect legal developments and address specific questions children, young people and families arriving from Ukraine may have about their rights here in Ireland.
Partner Pack – Ukraine Supports (Sept 2022)
In this pack you will find:
- Details of gov.ie/Ukraine
- Links to social media assets pointing to gov.ie/Ukraine
- ‘Shareable’ information on the school system
- Update on student and family experience videos.
Local Response
Community Response Forums have been established in every local authority area to coordinate local responses to the Ukraine crisis. Building on structures and relationships which were highly effective during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Response Fora will enable all those involved to work together under the stewardship of the local authority. Supplementing the support and services being provided by government agencies at a local level, the purpose will be to ensure effective communication and information sharing in the coordination of local community and voluntary actions in providing community supports to the new Ukrainian communities.
Contact your local Community Response Forum
General Resources
The Government has created a one-stop online portal at www.gov.ie/ukraine, which outlines the various supports available to people arriving from the conflict in Ukraine. The portal is also available in Ukranian and Russian.
Supports for those arriving from Ukraine – Dept. of Social Protection Information Sheet (updated 25 April)
Citizens Information has created a comprehensive guide for people coming to Ireland from Ukraine.
The Irish Refugee Council has guidance in English and Ukrainian for people displaced by the crisis.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, created the help.unhcr.org/ireland website for refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons in Ireland. The website is also available in Ukrainian here.
Keep an eye on the website of the Central Statistics Office for regular updates on the number of refugee arrivals in Ireland from Ukraine - visit the CSO website now.
Ireland for Ukraine Fundraiser
A group of Ireland’s leading media organisations have come together to form an unprecedented coalition, and so have launched a public fundraising campaign, ‘Ireland for Ukraine’.
The campaign aims to raise vital funds for those affected by the conflict, as well as those who have been displaced. The campaign is inspired by the incredible level of public support from Ireland for Ukraine to date.
The initiative will feature across local and national radio, television, print and online media, with all proceeds received by registered charity The Community Foundation for Ireland, who have 22 years’ experience in philanthropy and grant making.
50% of the funds collected will be distributed to the Irish Red Cross, Concern, UNICEF and Trocaire. The other 50% will be pooled into a fund for grant aid applications available to Irish organisations and local groups assisting the anticipated 200,000 incoming people who have been forced to flee Ukraine and are seeking the safety of our communities in Ireland.
Donations can be made online at www.irelandforukraine.ie or by the Revolut app.
Accommodation
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has published a number of policies in relation to temporary accommodation for people arriving from Ukraine or who have Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Status.
Information about the policies and protocols are available here.
The Irish Red Cross is coordinating a register of private accommodation for refugees. You can pledge a vacant property or spare room at https://registerofpledges.redcross.ie/#/
People seeking international protection who are already in Ireland and have nowhere to stay can email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
Information on Healthcare Services for Ukrainian Nationals
August 2022 Updates:
- Updated mental health supports information is here
- Disability services information is here
- Healthcare services information is here
- COVID-19 information is here
- COVID-19 vaccination video, Dr Oksana Kozdoba, a Pediatrician from Ukraine, shares information about the vaccination programme in Ireland. She covers the vaccines offered in Ireland to protect babies, school children and adults.
Supporting Children and Young People
Barnardos has published a short guide on how to talk to children about war. See www.barnardos.ie/news/2022/february/talking-to-children-about-war
Online Training - Understanding Trauma and Supporting the Needs of People Fleeing War and/or Persecution
This training will provide you with an awareness and basic understanding of war trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosocial needs of people who have fled war, understanding the barriers to accessing supports and the importance of minding your own psychological wellbeing when helping others.
This training is available to watch online: Watch training here.
Animal Welfare
Since 9 November 2022, the Irish Government has communicated that it will not be able to provide accommodation for newly arriving/newly acquired pets in State funded accommodation.
Further information is available here.
Non-commercial pets travelling with their owners from Ukraine.
Please find below information re. temporary exceptional arrangements in place for non-commercial pets travelling with their owners from Ukraine.
Please note:
- These arrangements apply only to pets travelling with their owners.
- The pet owner must notify the designated point of entry in advance of arrival.
- Pets from Ukraine will be inspected on arrival.
- Pets from Ukraine arriving with their owners into Ireland are not to be accepted into rescue centres, or other facilities where there is potential to mix with the general animal population.
These pets are to be kept under strict home quarantine, should not be outdoors and are not allowed mix with other animals or families. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will advise pet owners on the conditions required for home quarantine.
If issues arise due to a pet owner’s residence in Ireland not accommodating pets, the Department should be contacted at: UkrainePets@agriculture.gov.ie
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine guidance is available at the following link: gov.ie_Pet Travel from Ukraine
For further enquiries, please contact: UkrainePets@agriculture.gov.ie
For urgent enquiries during office hours, please contact: +353 (0) 1 607 2827.
If members have any related questions, please contact our Membership & Regional Manager, Johnny Sheehan, by emailing johnny@wheel.ie.