Refugees from Ukraine

Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there has been a steadily increasing influx of refugees from Ukraine to neighboring EU member states, but also to Germany and thus to North Rhine-Westphalia. Women and children in particular are leaving their homes for fear of destruction and death. Many people in North Rhine-Westphalia want to help the displaced persons in a variety of ways. There are many questions regarding offers of help and residence. We provide important information on this website, updated on an ongoing basis.

Many agencies are doing everything they can to help as quickly and unbureaucratically as possible. Up-to-date information and answers to the most important questions are available on the following public websites:

Counseling services

Helpline Ukraine: You can reach the Helpline Ukraine on 0800 500 225 0 from Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 5 pm. The free telephone advice service for refugee children, young people and parents from Ukraine helps with worries and problems. Advice is provided in Ukrainian and Russian.

Online migration advice service mbeon: The mbeon app offers free online advice for immigrants in Russian and English. The mbeon team provides support with many questions about arriving in Germany on topics such as work and career, learning German, health and housing. You can find more information at www.mbeon.de.

Information on entry and residence

• BAMF: Asylum and refugee protection. Information on the asylum procedure, the right to asylum and refugee protection can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
• BMF: The Federal Ministry of Finance has published questions and answers on the tax measures to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. The information is available here.
• BMI: FAQs on entry from Ukraine. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has set up a citizen service with answers to important questions about entering the country. The information is available in German, Ukrainian and English.
• BAMF: Welcome to Germany! The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees provides answers to important questions, clear information and digital services on a central help portal.
• MKJFGFI: Arriving. Here displaced persons from Ukraine can find links to help and further information.
• MKJFGFI: The FAQ on the Ukraine crisis is available here in Ukrainian.
• Integration Commissioner of the Federal Government: FAQs on entry and residence. The Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration has also provided an information page, which is available in German, Ukrainian and English.
• Handbook Germany. Important information on topics such as children, help from the state, medical care, housing and work can be accessed via the Handbook Germany. All information is also available in Ukrainian and Russian.
• Asyl.net: The website asyl.net offers materials and information for people seeking protection from Ukraine.
  

Information specifically for women and pregnant women

• Those seeking advice can reach the help hotline "Pregnant women in need" by calling 0800 40 40 020.
• Pregnant women in emergency situations are supported by the Federal Foundation Mother and Child, regardless of their nationality. Pregnant women from Ukraine who do not yet have proof of residence in Germany also receive unbureaucratic help here, such as financial aid to purchase maternity clothes, initial baby equipment, housing, etc.
  The brochure "Financial aid for pregnant women in need" has now also been published in Ukrainian. You can download it here.
• The brochure "Maternal Health Guide" is available in Russian and English and can be downloaded free of charge from the website "The MiMi Health Project With Migrants for Migrants".
• The German Midwives' Association provides information with the brochure Guter Start ins Leben - Wie Hebammen helfen in many languages about the services provided by midwives during pregnancy and after birth.
• The website zanzu.de offers information on pregnancy, birth, sexuality and contraception in Russian and English.
• The nationwide help hotline "Violence against women" can be contacted around the clock, free of charge and anonymously on 0 8000 116 016. Advice is available in Russian and Polish, among other languages.
  

Information for young people

• Jmd4you is the online advice service offered by the Youth Migration Services (JMD). It provides individual services and professional advice to help with educational, professional and social integration in Germany.
  

Information for LGBTIQ* people in Ukraine and refugees

• A list of current support services for Ukrainian and Russian-speaking queer people can be found on Regenbogenportal.de.
• An overview of LSBTIQ* advice centers in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found on the website of the MKJFGFI (Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Refugees and Integration of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia).
  

Information on health

Help for mentally stressed or traumatized refugees:

Psychological counselling for mentally distressed or traumatized refugees from Ukraine is offered by the aid project of the Initiative Gemeinsam für psychische Gesundheit. Counselling with an interpreter is possible.

Help for people with disabilities:

The information page for refugees with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses bundles the services available throughout Germany for the care and support of refugees with disabilities.