More than 2.5 million refugees have already fled the war in Ukraine, according to UN data. Many NGOs have traveled to the country to throw themselves completely at those who try to escape the horror at all costs. Multiple humanitarian associations have been installed in Przemysl, on the border with Poland, to attend to all the people who require first aid and help for accommodation or to move to other territories, such as Spain.
Clara Arnal, president of ‘Together for Life’, the first Spanish organization of its kind to come to this border to help evacuate these refugees, has recounted the urgent needs of associations like the one she directs to help in every way possible to these refugees; men, women and children, entire families, fleeing the invasion of Vladimir Putin.
– Financial assistance. It is better to donate money than clothes, food or drugs. “Economic contributions are needed. Spanish society is turning, but we need it to be done in a more controlled, consensual and coordinated way. A lot of help is coming that cannot be managed in the warehouses in the area,” explained the president of ‘ Together for Life’. She speaks of surplus material aid, such as clothing, which was initially very necessary but is now beginning to accumulate.
– Volunteers. Volunteers are needed who can help there, at the border, with translation and field work to be able to communicate with refugees and guide them correctly to safe points, or to inform them how to move to other countries. “We need, above all, people who speak Ukrainian, Spanish and, if possible, Poles. To support this reception of refugees, both their accommodation here and their transfer to other countries”, he indicated. Likewise, to go there it is better to contact the organizations first and not just show up at the border.
– Distribution of aid in the countries of destination. The NGOs ask that not so much clothing, food or medicine be sent to the border because they are covered and are accumulating. They believe that this type of aid could be better managed in the countries to which the refugees move. “That way you can better distribute that aid among them.”
Access to Spain
People with Ukrainian nationality who want to move to Spain do not need to apply for a visa if they have a biometric passport (containing your photo or fingerprints). If they do not have this passport or travel documents, they can go to a consular office of a country bordering Ukraine (for example, Poland, Romania, Hungary, etc.) to have their situation studied. In the case of minors, the birth certificate and the certificate that proves the family bond or their relationship with the guardians or accompanying persons must be presented.
Refugee centers in Spain
The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration is in charge of organizing the entire reception process for Ukrainian refugees when they arrive in Spain. “All logistics will be coordinated from three cities where there is broad representation of Ukrainian society (Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante). All the refugees who come have their rights and they must be guaranteed”, said the President of the Government, Peter Sanchez.
Guides for the reception of refugees in Spanish and Ukrainian
In this section you can consult the ‘Guide on temporary protection and reception of refugees in Spain’, both in Ukrainian and Spanish. It contains all the information you need to know how to apply for temporary protection, how to apply for medical care or what to do to be able to work. In addition to the telephone numbers of the State Reception Network of each province.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
