Outreach intervention in a social emergency situation. Help for Ukrainians

The presence of our specialists at this meeting gave us the opportunity to gather important information that will help us to provide the most correct answers to the refugees who call us.

On August 17, 2022 in Iași, in the organization of the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations for Social Services and the Prefect of Iași County, the "Iași Intervention in a Social Emergency" Forum took place. Help for Ukrainians". Almost 6 months after the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, after thousands of people took shelter from rockets and bombs in Iasi, after a great solidarity of civil society, it is time to evaluate and plan the future intervention. In dialogue with the authorities in the field of emergency situations, public order and safety, immigration, education, social protection and health, and with Romanian and international NGOs, there were three ladies, representatives of the Ukrainian community. The needs of Ukrainians have evolved compared to previous months and assistance must be aligned with them:
🤝 access to education, although guaranteed by official statements, is not yet a reality for Ukrainian children either. In kindergartens there are no places and teachers who can communicate with Ukrainian children, at school the status of audience is not enough to ensure an educational path for Ukrainian children. It is not known how long this status lasts, how it changes, how the level of knowledge of Ukrainians is evaluated.

🤝 access to medical assistance, although declared free, is still very difficult. The language difference and the non-payment of many committed expenses for Ukrainians are sometimes insurmountable obstacles.

🤝 Ukrainians find it very difficult to find their way in Romania, to find verified information and legal advice.

🤝 finding and maintaining a job is another need mentioned. There are many women with children, single and in many situations that require the equivalence of diplomas, they cannot engage in their profession. Sometimes employers do not take into account their special condition or they fail to integrate. Other Ukrainians are trying to revoke their businesses in Romania but I don't know how the poor do it.

🤝 and last but not least, housing is a problem. The program of settlement of expenses by the state does not work in all situations, the Refugee centers do not provide living conditions for families. So solutions are needed in this regard as well.
In conclusion, 5 coordination and solution-finding groups will work under the coordination of the forum organizers so that the support for Ukrainians is what is needed.

Regarding lessons learned, perhaps the most important one is that only together - public institutions and civil society - can be built. It's a good lesson that should not be forgotten when it comes to intervention in other situations where the supported cause is more important than the interest of a group. This is also the reason why FONSS and the Afterhills Association decided to launch the RoUa Hub - a platform that would integrate all resources and initiatives to support Ukrainians.
Details will be posted soon on www.hubromania.ro.