How to help Ukrainians in France. Donations, accommodation, humanitarian aid, volunteering

Financial aid 

Protection Civile is an organization that assists French emergency services during natural disasters and other major crises, and also provides first aid training. Protection Civile is now actively helping Ukraine. You can make a one-time, or subscribe for regular monthly donations. You can also donate by sending an SMS with the word «DON» to 92 3 92.

If you are a tax resident of France, by helping through Protection Civile you can receive a tax deduction. A donation qualifies for an income tax deduction of up to 66% of the donation amount (up to 20% of taxable income).

A special account of the Ukrainian Embassy in France provides an opportunity to donate for the purchase of protective equipment and medicines. 

A special account of the National Bank of Ukraine raises money for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. You can donate even with a credit card. 

UAnimals is a Ukrainian animal protection organization. It is now helping animals that have suffered from the war. You can transfer money from anywhere in the world.

Humanitarian aid 

The Paris help Ukraine initiative has organized a collection of items on Instagram for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilians affected by the hostilities. The list of items that are most needed is updated in the stories and posts.

Here are the places where you can bring supplies:

• Église ukrainienne orthodoxe
• 6 rue de Palestine, 75019 Paris
• Wednesday, Friday: 14:00 — 20:00
• Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 — 20:00
• Learning Planet Institute — Inserm Université De Paris
• 8 bis Rue Charles V, 75004 Paris
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 14:00 — 20:00;
• Saturday, Sunday: 10:30 — 21:30

The official website of the Embassy of Ukraine in France accepts humanitarian aid from organizations. Medicines, personal hygiene items for women, medical equipment, food, baby diapers, infant formula and feeding bottles are needed. Check the current list of needed items before making a purchase.

Help with accommodation and adaptation in France, volunteering

The Red Cross is seeking volunteers who speak Russian and/or Ukrainian to meet refugees at Parisian train stations and translate for them from French.

Volunteers are also needed at the centers for Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons (in Paris, it is located at Paris Expo porte de Versailles — Hall 2.1 — avenue Ernest Renan — metro station Porte de Versailles, open from 09:00 to 18:00). If you are not in Paris, please contact your local Prefecture for more information.

Residents of a municipality can team up to accommodate people from Ukraine. You can effectively organize help by creating a friendly environment for those who have been forced to leave their home in your local community.

The information portal Refugees.info, created by the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Reception and Integration of Refugees offers convenient volunteering and integration opportunities (learning the language and culture, making new friends, helping with documents, vocational training, etc.). The site is available in French, English, Russian, Ukrainian and other languages.

Useful links: 

A resource that gathers information from various official organizations. The information will be useful for Ukrainians arriving in France. If you volunteer for refugees, share this link with them.

Instructions of the Ukrainian Embassy on what Ukrainians should do after arriving in France. 

A list of useful materials and websites for seeking work in France. This link will also be helpful if you are volunteering for refugees.