Habitat helps Ukrainan refugees with shelter needs

A message from Habitat for Humanity International

March 9, 2022

Our prayers are with the people of Ukraine as we continue to watch the horrific scenes of an unprovoked invasion. Our Habitat colleagues are on the ground providing support to refugees fleeing the violence. Here is an update on their work and information about how you can support this humanitarian response.

The UN Refugee Agency reported that more than 2 million people have fled Ukraine since the invasion began, and the agency estimates millions more may ultimately leave the country. Habitat is supporting families who are on the move in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia while also helping refugees along a path to more permanent, durable shelter.

Last week, Habitat began distributing hotel vouchers to families fleeing the violence. Habitat has also installed space heaters in refugee reception centers of northern Romania, where displaced families have been staying temporarily amid snow and nighttime temperatures that dip below freezing. In Hungary, Habitat teams have been providing refugees with emergency supplies such as water, diapers and lighting.

Habitat also plans to partner with refugees seeking longer-term shelter, including through subsidies that make rental housing more affordable. Habitat will seek to lend housing and construction expertise to efforts to repurpose so-called empty spaces – from unused schools to factories – so they can serve as shelter for refugees. We are also identifying more permanent housing solutions, such as refurbished rental housing, in host countries.

Habitat prioritizes support for particularly vulnerable refugees, including children, the elderly and those who are neither citizens of Ukraine nor the country they have arrived in. This focus is particularly important amid reports of discrimination against refugees of African and Asian origin at the Ukrainian border. As our colleague Rick Hathaway, Vice President, Europe and the Middle East, said on Friday, “Every refugee, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, physical ability, age, gender or religion, deserves equitable access to shelter and any other forms of support. Discrimination in any form is against humanitarian principles and can’t be tolerated.”

Habitat for Humanity International has already committed $200,000 in support of the initial response. To support the continued response, we ask that you consider making a one-time donation through Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County. Please type “Ukraine” in the Donation Dedication field, and we will send all donations marked as such to the Habitat Disaster Response Fund specifically to support Ukrainian refugees.

If you prefer to mail a check to support this effort, please write “for Ukraine” in the memo field on your check. Mail checks to: Habitat EJC, P.O. Box 658, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Thank you for your support.