The Northern Times – together with Connect International, International Welcome Center North and City Central – is compiling the charitable actions being organized locally and internationally to help Ukrainian refugees and those who are still in Ukraine.
This story will be continually updated as we can confirm more ways to help and find help.
LAST UPDATE: Tuesday, 8 March at 13:50
The International Welcome Center North has a new information page with relevant links and resources for Ukrainians.
Offer a room
If you are from Ukraine and looking for a temporary room in the Netherlands, or if you are living in the Netherlands and have a room to spare, you can sign up at sharemyhome.org.
The site was set up by Anneke, the sister of a Dutch man, Kees, who has been living in Ukraine for 20 years and working as a farmer around 200 kilometers south of Kiev: his partner and children have fled to Romania, and Kees remains in Ukraine. He is using his Twitter account and personal website to share updates.
Anyone who is interested in offering rooms (either in their home or a b&b) can also sign up at Takecarebnb.
Language support
If you are a Russian or Ukrainian speaker (or nearly any other language), you can volunteer at RESPOND: Crisis Translation
Legal information
The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) has the latest information for Ukrainians about their residence and applications for residency
Ukraine: effects on stay or application
How to donate
In the Netherlands and in several other European countries, giro (from the Italian word meaning “circulation of money”) transfers are set up during crisis situations for people to make donations to help those impacted. It is a direct transfer of funds from your account and is initiated by you (the payer), not the recipient (payee).
There are at least three giro campaigns right now for Ukraine:
Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties (Collaborative Aid Organisations) – CARE Nederland, Cordaid, ICCO & Kerk in Actie, Oxfam Novib, Nederlandse Rode Kruis, Plan International Nederland, Save the Children, Stichting Vluchteling, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF Nederland adn World Vision
Giro 555: Samen in actie voor Oekraine (Taking action together for Ukraine)
Stichting Vluchteling (The Refugee Foundation) – among many other services, this organisation also provides psychological help for refugees in the Netherlands
Giro 999: Geef wat je kunt en red levens (give what you can and save lives)
Rode Kruis (Red Cross)- provides emergency assistance, event assistance, training, first aid and works together with various refugee centres
Giro 5125 for food, water and medical care
International organizations for financial donations:
United Nations Human Rights Council: help Ukrainians in need
For more ways to help:
The Happy Activist: Dit kan jij doen (This is what you can do)
United National Refugee Agency (in Dutch)
Local initiatives
Regional
Dagblad van het Noorden has a very complete list of charitable acts going on in Groningen and Drenthe to support Ukraine, and for Friesland, Omrop Fryslan also has a good list (both links in Dutch).
Friesland:
Free accommodation for refugees at bed and breakfast in Minnertsga
Tanja, the owner of a a bed and breakfast in the Frisian village of Minnertsga (18 kilometers north west of Leeuwarden), is making rooms available to Ukrainian refugees.
Speaking to The Northern Times, Tanja said, “I’m not doing anything special, other than just following my heart.” She said that anyone who is interested in offering rooms (either in their home or a b&b) can sign up at Takecarebnb.
On Sunday 6 March at 15:30, De Harmonie Stadschowburg in Leeuwarden will put on a benefit concert for Ukraine, and all proceeds will go to Giro 555. Performers include Ukrainian, Russian and Dutch artists and organisations.
Omrin Estafette, a circular economy initiative in Friesland, has set up a collection point at the Blokhuispoort in Leeuwarden, which will be picked up on Monday, 7 March. These are the items they are looking for:
Students at the university of applied sciences in Leeuwarden are collecting items from 10 to 18:00 through Friday, 4 March at Central Perk, room .79 in the Stenden building near the canteen. Check the full list in the image below:
Groningen:
More donation points are open in Groningen, including VERA Groningen on Monday, 7 March, Coop Lubbers on the Paterswoldseweg and via Bikers For Animals.
The University of Groningen has created a special FAQ page with resources for all students.
Noord Nederlands Orkest is donating 5 euros to Giro 555 from each ticket sold for their performance of works by Russian composers Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich in Groningen on Saturday, 5 March.
Kringloopplus (Diamantlaan 1, Groningen)
What to donate: canned food, new underwear and socks, shoes, sleeping bags, air matresses, bed sheets, towels, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, menstrual products (tampons and pads), diapers, pain killers and bandaids.
Fight Academy Groningen martial arts (Van der Hoopstraat 6, Groningen)
This socially-focused martial arts gym is owned by Siriano, who is ex-military and a social worker, and it also serves as a community center. It’s a bit hidden in an industrial terrain, but you can find it based on the trucks parked outside: they will be heading to Ukraine with supplies on Friday.
What to donate: bandages (large and small), Corona self tests, nutritious non-perishable foods, water, blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing for all ages.
As part of a campaign in Haren for refugees and victims of the war, Stichting Oekraïners in Nederland (Ukrainians in the Netherlands Foundation) has already collected five vehicles full of items to bring to Ukraine from donation sites in The Hague, Rotterdam and Sappemeer in Groningen. The group also collected items during the demonstration on the Grote Markt on Sunday.
OOG TV reports that more items – especially warm clothing, blankets and duvets – are still in high demand since Ukrainian stores are unable to be restocked, and they can be brought to Kleinemeersterstraat 109.
You can also find a range of other local initiatives by business owners in Groningen over at Sikkom.
Drenthe:
The art museum in Assen will donate €2,775 to Giro 555.
The former deportation center and current Holocaust memorial in Drenthe is donating €1 from each ticket sold to Giro 555, and you can leave a personal message on a card.
The youth-focused meeting place Jimmy’s is also collecting items for people who are still in Ukraine: you can donate them in person at their location in Emmen at Baander 5.
Here are the items they are asking for in English:
New underwear, shoes, air mattresses, bedding, soap, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, canned food, bandaids and bandages, stuffed animals, socks, sleeping bags, towels, hand towels, shampoo, toothpaste, diapers, pain killers and moving boxes.
This Christian organization in Drenthe has existed since 2013 and provides assistance to impoverished and Romani people in Ukraine. In an interview with RTV Drenthe, the chairperson of the organsiations, Thijs Sander, said that getting money and supplies to their projects there is very difficult, and they are still working on ways to provide support, but be sure to follow them on Instagram for updates on how you can contribute.
Nationally
Cultural and performing arts organisations across the Netherlands are doing a range of charitable activities from 4 through 6 March to raise money and show solidarity with Ukraine.
Clothes for Progress: this organisation traditionally donates their proceeds to progressive social justice causes in the Netherlands, and will be sending all profits to medical aid and humanitarian relief in Ukraine for at least the next two weeks.
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