Help for Ukraine
On 24 February, the war in Ukraine began when Russia attacked several cities. The invasion caused a humanitarian and refugee crisis, with millions of Ukrainians forced to flee their homes and many civilians killed. The next day we provided refugees with heated tents, hot food, tea, blankets, psychosocial support, mobile toilets and charging stations at the Slovak-Ukrainian border in Vyshnoe Nemetskoe, Ubli and Velikiye Slemence.
How are we helping in Ukraine? We are active in all 6 districts and 50 mounds of Zakarpattia region. We are gradually expanding our assistance to other western regions, as well as to some southern, northern and eastern districts. Since the beginning of the war, we have provided significant humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. We have provided more than 2 200 tonnes of humanitarian aid to 8 regions of the country, supporting more than 52 000 people. We have supplied firewood for approximately 1,900 people living in the Zakarpattia region. As part of our Shelter programme, we have equipped 14 shelters and 12 modular houses with furniture and home furnishings, repaired four municipal buildings and built one prefabricated house. In addition, we provided 615 families with warm winter clothing and shoes. Our efforts don’t stop with just providing basic necessities. We have organized private and group sessions with psychologists for approximately 1,700 people, and we have held 60 psychological events, trainings and workshops. We have also built more than 20 playgrounds in Zakarpattia and organized 11 children’s camps for more than 500 children. We have provided modifications to both children’s areas and bomb shelters, contributing to greater safety for more than 4,000 children during air raids. In total, we donated 700 school kits to children to help them continue their education in times of crisis.
How do we help Ukrainians in Slovakia?
To provide accommodation and food is a low standard. People need assistance to integrate into our society. It is not enough to be in contact only for the first few days. They need accompaniment until they find a job and are able to become independent.
Lenka Zápotocká, Head of the Department of Social Integration Programmes at People in Peril
In 2023, we helped Ukrainian male and female refugees mainly in the following locations: Košice, Spišská Nová Ves, Prešov, Bardejov, Lučenec, Liptovský Mikuláš, Zvolen and Žilina. In 2024, we are continuing only in 6 localities. Assistance was provided in three main areas: child protection, education and social inclusion. In the area of child protection, Man in Peril has successfully created a stimulating environment and safe space for children and their guardians within the framework of low-threshold clubs and low-threshold programmes. Within these programmes, children of different ages were able to participate in regular and irregular activities designed to facilitate social interaction, provide emotional and physical relief, reduce stress and anxiety, and foster interpersonal relationships. The children received regular formal and informal learning opportunities that supported their educational process and integration into the Slovak education system. People in Peril provided educational support through individual and group tutoring, mentoring and career counseling. Safe spaces were also used for meetings between the majority and the minority, where we organized community meetings, group events, festivals and cultural programs. These activities aimed to promote and strengthen social inclusion, thus contributing to building a cohesive and tolerant society.
Infoline
Do you need advice, information verification or help with interpreting from or into Ukrainian? Our helpline is here for you every working day from 9:00 to 17:00. We provide advice and verify information in Ukrainian language regarding humanitarian aid, volunteering, financial support, health care, migration, education, housing, work and support for our activities. You can also contact us if you need interpretation or translation at the doctor’s or office.
Important contacts
Košice Region
Košice, Spišská Nová Ves
lubica.mitrukova@clovekvohrozeni.sk
Integration Centre in Košice
Strojárenská 3, open Mon-Fri 8:30-16:00
+421 911 720 105, info@ickosice.sk
Prešov Region
Prešov, Bardejov
rastislav.matej@clovekvohrozeni.sk
Banská Bystrica Region
Banska Bystrica, Lučenec
lucia.sivokova@clovekvohrozeni.sk
Information for Ukrainians coming to Slovakia