EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Due to a lack of support and resources, many refugee families and individuals live in insecure and precarious conditions, putting them at high risk in times of crisis. Part of our mission is to identify the means through which local communities can mediate this risk and to offer financial support as a form of flexible and targeted emergency assistance. The needs of local communities vary per season and highly depend on other external factors such as the political and economic circumstances in the host country, and we try to respond accordingly. UHfR offers the following types of support:

Nutritional support: We provide grocery store vouchers so that families can purchase food and hygiene items that are most relevant for their families.
Educational support: We distribute essential school supplies, such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils etc.
Gender-specific support: We distribute hygiene items for women, connect domestic abuse survivors to organisations that offer specialised legal assistance, and provide material assistance for single mothers.

Household support: We distribute basic household supplies such as blankets, mattresses, stoves, and radiators for heat. We offer financial aid to pay water, gas and electricity bills to support families at risk of eviction or having their services cut.

OUR STRATEGY
& PROCESS

We rely on an extensive network of local collaborators to determine the needs of the refugee communities we support. We work directly with the communities, focusing on building relationships and recording personal testimonies. We respond to the constantly changing needs of the communities, and adjust our strategies based on the information we receive on a regular basis from our local contact persons (individuals who have taken on a leadership role to manage and increase the support for their community).

UHfR’s operational strategy:

1. Initiate communication with local refugee communities

Identifying and establishing contact with trusted individuals from the community, who are actively engaged with community support.

3. Resources & Fundraising

Focus on raising funds and other resources to cover the assessed needs through online and in-person fundraisers, grants, sponsoring memberships, partnerships and collaborations.

4. Case Management

Quick and thoughtful response to the evolving individual as well as common needs within the community. Flexibility to respond to emergency cases by adjusting our strategies and in close communication with the community.

2. Needs Assessment

Field trips and visiting contact persons in the communities for a better understanding of the situation on the ground; development of a strategic support plan; referral mapping; cooperating with other initiatives like (I)NGOs, local organisations and community centres.