Supporting Ukraine: how to help Ukrainian refugees
We have great sympathy for refugees from the conflicts in Ukraine. We'll be working closely with Essex County Council and other agencies to accommodate and support refugees who may be re-settled in Essex.
This is an emerging situation which we will need to respond to.
What you can do to help
There are both national and local organisations co-ordinating help for refugees from the Ukraine crisis.
Apply to be a host
If you want to become a sponsor - or host - for a Ukrainian family or refugee, register your interest on GOV.UK.
You can also read more information about the homes for Ukraine scheme and find information about being a sponsor and how to support guests on GOV.UK
Local help
You can find out about local initiatives and ways to offer help and support on the Essex is United for Ukraine Facebook page. This has been set up by Essex County Council to help you get in touch with organisations across Essex who are supporting humanitarian efforts through donations and fundraising.
Essex Chambers of Commerce has published some resources for people and businesses who want to help the people of Ukraine.
Donate money and essential items
If you want to donate money, there are a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
We would advise you to only donate to registered charities and trusted schemes to make sure your money is safe and being used effectively. You can find out about all registered charities on the Charity Commission website.
The government has agreed to match donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal. They will be matching any public donations pound-for-pound up to £25 million.
Other charities include:
- The Red Cross has set up the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, which is requesting donations to respond to humanitarian needs through food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter
- Unicef has set up a specific fund to protect children in Ukraine
- The UN refugee agency helps refugees fleeing situations of war and has a specific collection for Ukraine
- Care International is running an emergency appeal to provide emergency food and water
- The Ukrainian Embassy has set up a special fund to support Ukraine
Other ways to help
The government has issued some guidance for everyone wants to do their bit to support those who have been forced to flee their homes because of the invasion. You can find out more about Ukraine: what you can do to help on GOV.UK.
Refugee Action, a national charity, has put together some guidance on how you can:
- donate to support people directly impacted by the war in Ukraine
- donate goods
- host a refugee in your home
- find immigration advice for Ukrainians affected by the war
- start fundraising to support refugees
There is more information on how you can help and the Ukraine refugee crisis on the Refugee Action website.
Contact
If you have a query about the community or any facilities in Uttlesford, or require a referral to other agencies, please contact the Uttlesford Community Response Hub.
Email communityresponse@uttlesford.gov.uk
Additional support is also available through the Essex Wellbeing Service website or by calling 0300 303 9988.
Further information
For any further information and advice the government has issued a guide to UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals and and the Ukraine Family Scheme.
More information on the government response to the invasion of Ukraine on GOV.UK.
The government has also produced Welcome: a guide for Ukrainians arriving in the UK. The guide is available in Ukrainian and Russian languages.