Supporting Ukraine
You will have witnessed the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis as more and more people are forced to flee their homes. Find out how you can help those in need.
Welcoming refugees to Northern Ireland
Work is being progressed to welcome refugees from Ukraine to Northern Ireland under the schemes run by the UK Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
You can find out more about the operation of the schemes at the links below:
Work under way to support new arrivals
Government departments, councils and the voluntary and community sector are working in partnership to make sure the necessary preparations are in place so that we stand ready to provide sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees.
This will include ensuring safeguarding arrangements and necessary support to both those arriving and sponsors.
Housing or sponsoring a refugee
Both official schemes – The Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme - require Ukrainians to secure visas to come to the UK.
Further information on the Homes for Ukraine scheme is available at:
The Ukraine Family Scheme
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of Ukrainian people living in the UK to move in with their relatives.
Applications to the Ukraine Family Scheme are made online and can be made from outside or whilst in the UK.
Visas granted under this route are free and last for three years. They allow people to live, work and study in the UK and access public funds.
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme
The Homes for Ukraine Scheme provides an opportunity for people from Ukraine who may not have family ties to be sponsored to come to the UK by individuals, businesses, or community organisations.
A portal for expressions of interest for sponsoring opened on 14 March.
Sponsorship arrangements require an identified Ukrainian national and an identified individual sponsor to register on the system and request to be formally matched with each other.
There is currently no scope to be independently matched on the system without first identifying a named individual.
Sponsors will receive £350 a month for up to one year per residential address and those sponsored will be able to live in the UK, have access to work, public funds, public services etc. for three years.
Anyone in the UK (of any nationality and any immigration status providing they have at least six months leave to stay in the UK) with a spare room, or separate self-contained accommodation that is unoccupied can come forward to help.
Accommodation must be available for at least six months, be fit for people to live in, and suitable for the number of people to be accommodated.
Named individuals can offer residential rooms or unoccupied self-contained residential units to a specific person or people. If you don’t know someone from Ukraine but still want to help, non-government organisations (NGOs) such as faith or non-faith based groups or charities, may be able to help you to make contact with a named person.
Safeguarding and eligibility checks will be carried out which will include enhanced Access NI checks and a visit to your home or properties.
This is in the interest of everyone’s safety and also provides an opportunity to make sure both you and your sponsored person/ family are aware of all the support available and linked into useful networks and important services.
Further information on the Homes for Ukraine scheme is available at:
Data handling
To support Ukrainian citizens fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, the Department of Finance will be processing information about individuals and organisations who have offered support for those arriving, including accommodation.
Information will also be processed relating to Ukrainian citizens who have travelled to Northern Ireland. The data will be collected from multiple sources, including directly from individuals and organisations.
Further information is available at:
Making a cash donation
Many international organisations and charities are working in the UK, across Europe and in Ukraine to provide aid and help. By making a cash donation, your money can help to get food, water, clothing, medical supplies and other essentials to those most in need.
Donations can be made through the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
There are other local charities you may want to support.
Donating food, clothes and other essentials
Charities are identifying specific support required for Ukraine at this time and advice on humanitarian aid remains that local groups are best raising money for the recognised appeals, rather than attempting to send goods.
Donations can be made to Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Or, you may wish to contact charities or local community organisations to identify any specific support required by refugees who have already arrived here.
You can also donate items to charity shops and some faith-based groups. The items you donate may not go directly to refugees but the money raised helps charities to support them.
You can also donate food to your local food bank. Further information is available at:
Volunteering
Local refugee and other charity or support organisations may have volunteering opportunities available.
Young refugee appeal
An appeal is also ongoing for more foster carers and supported lodgings hosts who can provide care and support to young refugees. This appeal is to support the growing number of young refugees arriving in Northern Ireland from countries across the world without their parents or a responsible adult to take care of them.
More information is available at: