Estonian Refugee Council and Peaasi.ee train twenty specialists, who will lead the support groups of the evidence-based adaptation program created by psychologist Paul Sterk over the next two years. In total, nearly 5,000 refugees who arrived in Estonia will receive support through them.

There is no doubt that a person’s mental health will suffer if they are forced to leave their home or country to survive. The trauma experienced at home and on the journey, the obstacles to adaptation such as language barriers and difficulties in finding a job, or the startling recognition that a new home country means rebuilding your life from scratch, can have a devastating effect on mental health. 

“Estonia is at the forefront of helping Ukraine, a fact in which we should take pride. Now we must ensure that we have the determination and persistence to stay by Ukraine’s side for as long as needed,” writes Eero Janson. The article was first published on 02.08.2022 in the ERR.

From last year’s autumn to this summer, with the help of the European Union Solidarity Fund managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, the Estonian Refugee Council was able to support refugees affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Estonian Refugee Council pays school support for refugees going to school in Estonia. During the summer, we conducted five camps, in which a total of 117 children and youth with a refugee background took part. On the Independence Day of Ukraine, August 24, we saluted Ukraine, which has been fighting for six months in the war, with the joint action "Ukrainian Minute", as a result of which a photo gallery.

Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) is a value-driven non-governmental EU-certified humanitarian organization. ERC was established 21 years ago and currently provides humanitarian assistance to displaced people and other vulnerable people in 5 crisis-affected countries (Ukraine, Georgia, Jordan, Lebanon, and Kenya) and different support services to beneficiaries of international protection in Estonia. Our mission is to stand for the rights and well-being of refugees and other vulnerable groups in Estonia and abroad.

Our international team is looking for

In this spring we saw, that for refugees arriving in Estonia, it may be unaffordable to purchase school supplies or clothes for their children, among other essential things. That’s why we decided to start giving out one-time financial support with the help of our donators.

The Estonian Refugee Council is running a programme to support micro and small enterprises in Ukraine, Georgia and Kenya to empower women affected by armed conflicts and ensure their sustainable income. Over a hundred companies will receive start-up and expansion grants under this year’s programmes.

• We will also support women's entrepreneurship in Ukraine this year, by now the submission of business ideas has ended and the training program will begin. More information here.

Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) and the largest French humanitarian organization ACTED signed a cooperation agreement under which ERC will distribute more than seven million euros as multi-purpose cash assistance within Ukraine. The aid will reach people living in the five worst-affected regions, including those living in temporarily occupied areas. A total of 32,190 people will receive support funded by the European Union.