Our impact report May 2022 – Ukraine crisis response

2022-05-18

Flag signed by soldiers

It is estimated that around 80 000 Ukrainian people, mainly women and children, will seek shelter in Ireland.
Officials said around 29 000 refugees had arrived to Ireland to date (10th May 2022, with about 400 new arrivals every day, with three-quarters needing accommodation.
The refugees will require support in all aspects of their life, from receiving essential information about their rights and entitlements, to support with access to education and health.
The Ukrainians and Polish people share history and cultural background and there is an instant level of trust, that’s why we at Together-Razem are their first point of contact. We are all migrants and with migration experience we are well placed to deliver services to migrants and refugees

We responded immediately to the crisis.

The day after the invasion on the 25th of February Together Razem Centre started working to connect refugees with the non-governmental organizations in Poland that offer shelter and essential support. We have helped several families to find help in Poland.

Here in Ireland, we have enabled the Ukrainian community in Cork to have a safe gathering spot at the Together-Razem headquarters – group meetings, conversation, information in a safe and confidential environment.

We have set up an information provision service in the Ukrainian language as we are aware that provision of essential information in migrants’ native language and in a culturally sensitive manner is crucial.

We have been providing face to face consultations to the Ukrainian refugees in our Centre from the 8th of March.

On the 15th of March we have hired Ukrainian Support Worker who provide outreach, support, referral, and accompaniment services and works with HSE In-Reach team

22^nd March we have started to provide English classes for 4 days per week morning and afternoon classes.

Women for women action started on the 27th of March. Toiletry packs with essential items have been handed over to the newly arrived Ukrainian women

Opening a new dedicated Hub on the 10^th May

The Hub, named Together4Ukraine is situated in Blackpool Community Centre, Cork city, Together4Ukraine will provide a range of free services to Ukrainian refugees in Cork, including:

A dedicated Ukrainian-speaking support worker, who will provide outreach, support, referral, and accompaniment services.
Online trauma counselling in Ukrainian and Russian languages.
English language lessons.
Information sessions to signpost refugees to key services in Cork,
Practical supports, including welcome packs with information for newcomers, and ‘Women for Women’ kits with essential hygiene items.

Over the coming weeks, the Hub will expand its services to include legal advice clinics, a mother and child programme, a psychological support helpline, a befriending programme and a library of books in Ukrainian for adults and children.

Our impact as per today 10^th May 2022

We have created an online resource centre for the Ukrainian people in Ireland on our website under a Together4Ukraine button with all the necessary information for the newcomers. Ukrainian refugees can get up-to-date information here together-razem.org/en/together4ukraine
Daily updates to our website in 3 languages ENG, UKR, POL
We organised fundraiser and raised €8442 for the purchase of medical supplies to hospitals in Ukraine. Purchased and delivered medical supplies to Ukraine: to Hospital Moscicka and infirmaries in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka near Bucha and Velyka Dymerka.
Woman for Woman – a project supporting refugee women by provision of small hygiene and sanitary essential kits to newly arrived women.
We have provided 147 hygiene packs as a part of Woman for Woman action

Co-hosted information webinar with NASC Ireland with information on services available in Cork supporting people who have fled war
We have a created a programme in our Centre for the Ukrainian refugees run from Monday to Thursday including:
Chat & Connect – meeting in friendly atmosphere with our Ukrainian speaking volunteers
Intensive English classes
One to one information clinics
Accompaniment service
We have received and responded to 2,811 phone & WhatsApp & Telegram calls since the 24th of February when the Russian invasion started
We have received 3396 emails and FB messages
We have created a Telegram app channel for Ukrainians in Cork with 158 Ukrainian members https://t.me/together_razem_centre
We have provided English classes to 40 people on beginner level and to 21 people on intermediate level – with 47 Ukrainian on a waiting list
Provided one to one support to 192 Ukrainians with 421 interventions
We have organised 5 Ukrainian community mobilisation meetings in our Centre in March
We have organised 1 Silent Walk in Cork on the 5th of March with 40 attendees
We have organised The Stand with Ukraine peaceful rally in Cork on the 13th of March attended by 400 people
We have organised joint Eastern European community group with Ukrainian refugees and took part in St Patrick’s Parade in Cork and in Ballincollig and as a result we got awarded the Spirit of the Parade award by the Cork City Council
Organised and celebrated Easter Traditions of Poland, Romanian and Ukraine with 30 people attended
We have set the new dedicated website http://together4ukraine.ie
We have organised official Together4Ukrainbe Hub launch with 200 attendees on the 10^{th of} May 2022
Various media appearances in Irish Examiner, Evening Echo, RTE Radio 1, Cork Red FM, Polish media – see below

We are a small team of part-time staff, and we need to rapidly expand our capacity and obtain extra resources to respond to the crisis in the best possible way.

Our small team works around the clock to assist Ukrainians in many ways.

We are developing our programmes, adapting our existing structures to the needs of the Ukrainian refugees to deliver best possible professional services.

We have developed new relations and contacts with state and third sector bodies, and we are grateful for the kindness of the people of Ireland.

Please support our FUNDRAISER as we need money to expand our services and to provide reception packages to Ukrainian refugees

https://donorbox.org/ukrainian-refugees-1

Articles:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-40828712.html

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40827971.html

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40824024.html

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40828772.html

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40825283.html

https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-40826216.html

https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2022/0302/1283979-cork-ukraine/

https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-40835612.html