Update March 22nd
- Communication and contract signed with the World Service of the Y USA
- Y Global Norway and Y Care International UK joint meeting with YMCA Europe and World YMCA
- Movement Strengthening Committee meeting with the focus on the present situation in the Eastern Europe
- Contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries (Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Poland)
- Short report summarising some of the most relevant actions of YMCA Spain related to the Ukrainian crisis, mainly from last weeks
- Contact and communication with donors and supporters
Update March 21st
- Drafting the grant programme call for applications tackling refugees services and movement strengthening components
- Drafting the job description for assistant in refugees work
- Contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- Meeting with Y Care International to discuss next steps and strategies for the mid and long term response to the effects of war in Ukraine. In addition to the ongoing immediate relief actions, a potential partnership with YCI will focus on the needs of the affected young people in Ukraine and across the region.
Update March 19-20th
- Contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- Searching for ways to evacuate a relative of YUSA colleague from Kyiv
Update March 18th
- Communication with Y Global Norway on possible joint project with external humanitarian funding, either within the framework or beyond the Roots.
- Searching for ways to evacuate a relative of YUSA colleague from Kyiv
- Meeting YMCA Netherlands-YMCA Europe to discuss and agree on next steps and strategy for refugees relief led by National Movement.
- YMCA Europe’s Working Group on Refugees collects actions and plans led by national movements (assistance, accommodation and integration of refugees from Ukraine).
- Individual follow up meetings YMCA Europe leadership with NGSs Ukraine and Russia.
- Planning and launch of “Pray for Peace” event taking place on March 25th.
Update March 17th
- Over 40 YMCA USA leaders took part at the meeting with YMCA Europe in order to learn more about the current actions developed by YMCAs Ukraine and neighbouring movements in cooperation with YMCA Europe, following our immediate and mid term action plan.
- YMCA Japan organised and hosted a meeting broadcasted by Japanese TV to highlight the quick and effective humanitarian response led by YMCA Europe for an Ukrainian citizen connected with YMCA Japan who became a refugee into Poland.
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- Preparation for payment the cost of a truck transporting +30 tones of goods from Spain to Ukraine
- YMCA Russia partner group (Syrus) met and was updated on the National Movement’s situation in the frame of the actual crisis.
Update March 16th
- Communication leads Europe meeting with focus on Ukraine and fundraising. Inputs from Tim Harford (Head of fundraising YMCA England & Wales) and David Paterson (CEO YMCA South Australia).
- Communication with YMCA Moldova and YMCA Belgium and with YMCA leaders from Ukraine
- Presenting at YMCA USA meeting “General Update on the YMCA Europe/YMCA Ukraine Response”
- Responding to requests from YMCA USA organisations and leaders
- Communication with the European Youth Forum about organising capacity building training for peripheral countries
- Session on integration of refugees is reinforced at the planned YMCA Europe’s Executive Professional Master for staff and volunteers. Registrations are open.
Update March 15th
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- An overview of the involvement of the Czech YMCAs
- Communication with Tanya Lewis, President of YMCA Odessa Ukraine
- Support to the informal group of volunteers in Belgium for setting up legally YMCA Belgium
Update March 14th
- Preparation of the 2nd status report for all partners and donors, including the overview of all gifts received until now.
- Meeting with Tim Harford, YMCA England & Wales fundraising team lead;
- Meeting with YMCA-YWCA Norway and KFUM-KFUK Global Norway
- Preparations for the Strategic Dialogue online meeting "Ukrainian refugee crisis – support measures" organised by the European Commission
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Working meeting with YMCA USA on the approach to responses
Update March 12 – 13th
- Monitoring the situation of the refugees in Brussels waiting to be registered. Warm food, drinks provided by the volunteers of YMCA Belgium
- YMCA Romania staff and volunteers providing during the weekend services at Sighet/Solotvino border
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Participation at World Peace Prayer organised by the Y`s Men International
- Social media monitoring and collection of data (pictures, videos, information) of those involved in charity actions across Europe
- Coordinating the delivery of goods and accommodation of people, from Spain to Slovakia
Update March 11th
- Communication and overview of some of the local Ukrainian YMCAs
- Communication and response for the refugee crisis in Brussels, Belgium: identification of the needs, emergency form, contract, financial support sent
- Meeting of YMCA Germany, YMCA Europe and YMCA Ukraine
- Pray for Peace meeting
- Roots International ProFest “Then, Now, Later: Towards a Composite Memory” – An emergency online planning meeting of all project stakeholders, including YMCAs of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia was called up to discuss the current situation and find a way out.. Or rather, forward!
- We are able to present a brief update on the status and involvement of several local YMCAs in Ukraine.
Update March 10th
- Response to the Suggestions of Help and coordination
- Communication with potential leaders in Poland (Lublin, Warsaw) who could support the humanitarian aid
- Communication with YMCA France, YMCA Spain, YMCA Germany
- Meeting with Tim Harford (YMCA England & Wales fundraising expert), setting up framework for his technical assistance to YMCA Europe Task Force.
- Meeting with YMCA Europe`s Programme Groups leaders
Update March 9th
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Monitoring information on social media, reposting, updates. We keep in touch with the comms leads of the national YMCA
- National General Secretaries Meeting
- Meeting with the Programme Group for refugees and migrants
- Responding and coordinating people, organisations that request help
- In response to the emergency requests, the urgent meeting was run, a draft project and donation contract was drawn up and the resources have been transferred to YMCA Slovakia
- YMCA Romania crossing the border (with the support of the Red Cross) with a supplies for YMCA Karpaty
- The coordination of suggested help of local YMCAs in the USA with the National one
- Communication with the leader of YMCA in Belgium to provide urgent response to the refugees in Brussels
Update March 8th
- Launch of the “Pray for Peace” event (March 11th)
- Meeting with Y Global Norway for coordinating efforts with Y Global Norway in responding to the amplifying humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and beyond.
- Responding and coordinating people, organisations that request help
- “Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation and Movement Strengthening” Strategy
- Frame for YMCA’s Response Strategy and Action Plan: updates
- Preparation NGS extraordinary meeting
- Meeting with YMCA England & Wales fundraising department to coordinate further actions
- Maintaining permanent contact with the YMCA Ukraine and neighbouring countries: needs assessment, exchange of information and contacts, coordination
- Monitoring information on social media, reposting, updates. We keep in touch with the comms leads of the national YMCA
Update March 7th
- Aid sent from Sweden reaches colleagues at YMCA Romania;
- Full packed cars are now ready to start from Berlin towards Lviv;
- 12 refugees arrived at the YMCA in Baden, Germany;
- YMCA Germany launches a call to members to provide accommodation to those in need;
- Vans from Spain that delivered items, goods and solidarity in cooperation with YMCAs Slovakia. On the return to the South, 35 persons (mainly children, women and elderly persons) in the vans are staying overnight hosted by YMCA Munich.
- We managed to safely transferred resources to YMCA Ukraine to be used on their ongoing actions on the ground, mainly aid and support to the most vulnerable
- On behalf of the World YMCA, Carlos Sanvee joined our Emergency Committee (YE Staff) meeting during the morning thanking and encouraging our staff team now involved in drafting our pan European proposal for refugees and our movement strengthening strategy for the affected YMCAs.
- For the collection of information we have launched a simple form to help us create a database on donations / collection of goods / transport of goods for those affected. https://forms.gle/17AuKm3iHrwLHqUK8
- YMCA Europe staff work on a database with national coordinators from all YMCAs around the world to facilitate communication and information exchange
- Work has also begun on a database of accommodations available for those fleeing Ukraine
- The fundraising campaign continues through the direct channels opened: PayPal and Facebook and through direct donations to the bank.
- The "Humanitarian Aid 2022" project started on March 7 by the YMCA Ukraine in cooperation with the YMCA World and YMCA Europe. Local YMCAs in Ukraine are getting financial support to help people in need, suffering from the war. A minibus for transportation of humanitarian aid from the border to warehouses in Lviv /Vinnytsia was purchased with the financial support of the YMCA Europe.
Update March 5th – 6th
- Aid collected by national and local YMCAs is directed to the destination points. YMCA Romania and Moldova continue to work at the borders with staff and volunteers providing support and services to refugees.
- Two immediate actions under development following our communications with YMCA Ukraine’s leaders as they can receive financial support at national and local level.
- An urgent appeal to all National General Secretaries in Europe is being forwarded regarding YMCAs intervention in this dramatic refugee crisis.
Update March 4th
- 1st status report March 4th has been published: https://bit.ly/UA-Report-4March
- YMCAs around the world are mobilising to raise funds and raise funds for Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova and Poland.
- Meetings with YCare International, YMCAs Germany and USA networks, the growing positive results of our campaign, our virtual sharing with Viktor Serbulov (NGS Ukraine) setting next steps, the promising cooperation with other organisations in Poland.
Update March 3rd
- Based on the needs of the YMCA in Romania and Moldova, which provide support to refugees at the borders, YMCA Europe staff has developed a form to collect emergency needs. In response to these, donation contracts were drawn up and the first resources have been transferred to Moldova and Romania and we are thankful for quick administrative action fulfilling all protocols that we set yesterday.
- Fundraising campaign continues successfully bringing results. Also the number of partners grows. Our President and Secretary General had a meeting with more than 30 CEOs from YMCAs Canada (including Calgary Y, a loyal committed partner of YMCA Ukraine).
- The Strategy & Action Plan has been launched: https://bit.ly/UA-Strategy-Plan
We stand in solidarity with our local YMCAs in Ukraine and Russia, in support of peace and stability across the globe.
We also stand with our brave young people in the region and across the globe, acknowledging them. They are assisting people leaving Ukraine helping with transport, providing shelter, blankets, hygiene products, basic aid items, and medical supplies.
YMCAs in Ukraine and our colleagues and young people are already suffering the consequences of this unpredictable crisis. Hear more from our colleague and friend Viktor Servulov, National Secretary General of YMCA Ukraine, sharing an update from Kiev.
More than 70,000 refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Moldova, and with the current situation in Ukraine, their number will increase. YMCA Moldova is very active providing support and goods at all border crossing points between the two countries for those feeling Ukraine: 1000 kits of basic necessities, 30 people – families with children being also accommodated at YMCA Youth Centre in Trebujeni.
Some of the volunteers of YMCA Moldova
1000 kits of basic necessities to give to those fleeing Ukraine
YMCA Romania was during the weekend (26-27 February) at the Romanian/Ukrainian border (Sighet – Solotvino), joining other local organisations in supporting people fleeing. Together with the area officials and other non-profit organisations they are working towards ensuring basic services for everyone in need: accommodation, meals, transport, and first aid.
Our colleagues from YMCA Romania, have been supporting our colleagues from the YMCA Ukraine, some of them fleeing from the Kiev area. There have been long queues at the border, intense hours of not knowing what the situation is on the other side, but what kept the efforts going was hope that the YMCA is a safe place for us all. And we are pleased to know that our colleagues from Romania managed to provide a safe accommodation, emotional care and warm welcoming to their brothers and sisters fleeing this terrifying war.
YMCA Romania team
The crossing point at Sighet border
YMCA Plzen (Czech Republic) started to collect goods and hosted four families with children. YMCA Slovakia and KIE (YMCA) Hungary are ready to provide support for the families in need including transportation, shelter and food. Thank you!
This page will continue to be updated with more in-depth detail about the YMCA’s emergency response and appeal.
The fundraising call launched by YMCA Europe with the support of the World YMCA is already providing valuable donations from all over the world. Individuals and organisations mobilised by donating, together with our colleagues from Romania and Moldova offer first-hand support to those fleeing Ukraine.
Thanks to YMCA USA colleagues who launched an immediate fundraising campaign, to Y`s Men International, YMCA England & Wales, Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong & YMCA Canada for their generous donations in addition to the ongoing campaigns in Germany, the UK, Scandinavian YMCAs and across the rest of Europe.
You can contribute too!
The following donation channels are open:
- Facebook fundraiser
- Bank transfer (for bank details please get in contact with us at info[at]ymcaeurope.com)
* We are not posting pictures with the refugees due to the fact that they would not feel comfortable, and we believe we have the duty to respect their choice of not disclosing their identity.
