Estonian Refugee Council received the European Citizen 2022 award for its activities towards Ukraine. 

Eesti Pagulasabi toetab igakülgselt Eestisse saabuvaid sõjapõgenikke, nõustab ja vahendab infot elu- ja töökohtade ning teenuste kohta, korraldab tugiteenuseid ja teeb aktiivset teavitustööd. Ukrainas on Eesti Pagulasabi rahuvusvaheliselt suurim MTÜ, mis pakub inimestele rahapõhist toetust, seda ka okupeeritud aladel, kuhu muu abi ei jõua. Lisaks on MTÜ toetanud haiglaid, laiali jaganud magamiskotte, elektrigeneraatoreid ja meditsiinitarvikuid, jälgib turgude toimimist ning panustab toiduturvalisusesse. 

Estonian Refugee Council supports refugees arriving in Estonia in every way, advises and mediates information about living and working places and services, organizes support services and does active outreach work. In Ukraine, Estonian Refugee Council is the largest non-governmental NGO that offers financial support to people, including in occupied areas where other aid cannot reach. In addition, the NGO has supported hospitals, distributed sleeping bags, electricity generators and medical supplies, monitors the operation of markets and contributes to food security.

In addition, Refugee Council is one initiator of the campaign "For Ukraine!", together with the NGO Mondo and the Ukrainian Culture Center. "For Ukraine!" started shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and gained new momentum on February 24, 2022. Its central principle is that everyone can do something to support Ukraine. In the framework of "For Ukraine!", the NGO Estonian Refugee Council has collected financial donations, which provide humanitarian aid both in Ukraine and to refugees who have arrived in Estonia, as well as organizing evacuation buses from the border of Ukraine to Estonia.

The ceremonial presentation of the European Citizen Award took place on September 30 at 16:00 in the Experience Europe exhibition centre.

Background

The European Citizen Award is given out by the European Parliament. The award was established in 2008 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made a remarkable contribution to the promotion of cooperation between European countries and the dissemination of European values. This year, 30 awards were given out across Europe.