In response to the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, the Dutch provinces of Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen are offering their support to Ukrainian nationals who were forced to flee their country. Here is a list of initiatives offering help with accommodation and legal aid.
Emergency Shelters
All 25 regional Safety Boards in the Netherlands have been told by the government to identify at least 1,000 places for Ukrainian refugees within two weeks with a further 1,000 coming on board later.
Various northern municipalities will provide emergency shelters for displaced Ukrainians.
Groningen: At the moment, there are three shelter locations:
- The former Nescio Hotel, Emmalaan 33, Haren – space for 230 people
- Student flat Kornoeljestraat 2, Groningen – space for 100 people
- Boathouse in Oosterparkwijk
Winschoten: City Hotel Winschoten, Stationsweg 21, Winschoten – space for 40 people
Additional shelters in other municipalities will be forthcoming as needed.
Leeuwarden: Oer ‘t Hout in Grou is being prepared for reception. This location can accommodate 150 to 170 refugees in the short term.
Hoogeveen: The municipality, in consultation with the Drenthe Safety Board, is preparing an emergency accommodation for the displaced Ukrainian citizen. A special municipal team has been set up to coordinate and organize the reception. Via the e-mail address oekraine[at]hoogeveen.nl, the municipality makes an inventory of how many refugees and where they could be received. Mayor Karel Loohuis: “We are preparing for what is to come. We are confident that we can offer the refugees who may come to our municipality a safe shelter. Together with our residents, we will do everything we can to ensure these people are received with love”.
Legal stay in the Netherlands
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) provides information about the legal stay of displaced Ukrainians at this link.
News in English
You can find more Northern Times coverage on resources to support Ukrainians in the north and other stories on the unfolding crisis.
Ways to help
The UN Refugee Agency has information on ways that you can help or donate to relief efforts in the Ukraine.
Eleven Dutch help organizations are also participating in a combined fund Giro 555 to provide assistance for Ukraine.
Municipal information
The following municipalities have provided some information specifically on the Ukrainian crisis:
Dozens of Ukrainians have arrived in the Northern Netherlands over the past two weeks. At least 50 Ukrainian nationals registered at the Ter Apel refugee center, and a further four were taken in by Frisian families.
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