Sewa UK - Ukraine Crisis

Log in

Ukraine Refugee Support

Sewa International Europe played a key role in evacuating 467 African students, including 367 from Nigeria, and another 100 from Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa, from Sumy, the northern region of Ukraine bordering Russia, on Tuesday, March 8. Sewa volunteers coordinated the evacuation efforts responding to a request by Shina Alege, the Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine.

As airstrikes cause extensive damage and people flee Ukraine in large numbers, Sewa International volunteers in Europe have helped more than 3,200 individuals in the past six days to cross the border to reach safety. Sewa volunteers are working with another 3,680 people who have registered for evacuation through the Sewa helpline.

Over 250 Sewa volunteers spread across many countries in Europe are coordinating relief efforts in eighteen Ukrainian cities.

They are distributing food packets, establishing temporary shelters, or working with local hotel owners to provide fleeing students a place to stay until they leave for their home country.

Working closely with Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) volunteers, Sewa units in Ukraine, Finland, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Denmark are fielding calls from stranded students and others seeking help and directing them to a volunteer who lives close to them for further assistance. Sewa is helping people to reach Ukraine’s western border by bus, train, or other modes of transport.

Rescue and Relief Efforts Supported by

Ukraine Updates

Office Furniture donated by Cheniere Energy has been donated to various institutions, organisations, orphanages, hospices and centres across Ukraine who have been affected by the war. There buildings and equipment has been impacted and Sewa UK and Sewa Europe have worked with our volunteers on the ground in Ukraine to get this donated furniture delivered to the needy.

Thank you letters and video messages have come in from the various recipients to express their gratitude to Cheniere Energy and Sewa UK in making this happen.

View Gallery

Layers of Volunteer Support

E-Volunteer Helpline

Volunteers behind the scene working 24/7 to connect 1:1 with people in distress
Provide emotional support to distressed people
Looking at movement roots, border crowds and safety measures.
Connecting local Ukraine volunteers to problem areas.

Ukraine on ground
Volunteers

Volunteer based in Ukraine located at various cities.
They continued to stay there to coordinate local level logistics.

Border on ground
Volunteers

Volunteers at different border crossing points
5-10 volunteers at each of the border countries

Ukraine Relief and Recovery

Reports

	Sewa in Ukraine Crisis 28 Mar 2022 9:37 AM \| Sewa UK
	Sewa International Helps 3,200 Evacuate Ukraine 2 Mar 2022 9:37 AM \| Sewa UK
	Sewa International Evacuating 467 African Students from Ukraine 8 Mar 2022 9:37 AM \| Sewa UK

Evacuation Mission

When the crisis started

24 Feb: Call for help from our local volunteer in Ukraine
24 Feb: We created a WA message with local Ukrainian volunteer’s number
25 Feb: Released a google form to collect requests
27 Feb: Opened up WA groups publicly to join
28 Feb: Call for Volunteers globally

Organised Coordination

Evacuation process at this stage was centered by city location
Every city had its own challenges – transport mode (Rail / Bus), distance from border crossing, proximity from war zones, student concentrations, etc.
Information dissemination, validation and follow up specific to city
Every city was assigned with one main coordinator, who was being assisted with many others

Guide & help cross border

Coordinate with local humanitarian organizations for Food and accommodation
Arrange food and essentials wherever needed.
Coordinating with neighboring high commissions
Help Indian high commissions to get students be evacuated through special flights

Phase 1: Blueprint of evacuation mission

Agility, experience and dedication for humanity made us able to achieve what we could achieve - together

Collect
Organise
Move
Guide
Assist

Phase 2: Assisting refugees at Poland Border

Sewa Base Camp at Medyka- Poland with Phone/device charging points, seating and heaters.
Purchasing and handing out essential items
Assisting with baggage support for refugees from Ukraine Border to Poland
Volunteers started serving on day 1 and will continue for the coming months

Phase 3: Support - Assisting refugees in Ukraine

Shehni Ukraine – refugee centres with Phone/device charging points.
Purchasing and handing out essential items
Refugee Centre with over 1000 beds – Sewa Volunteers supporting
Volunteers conducting Yoga session at Refugee Centres

Album

Secondary Purpose on All Sewa UK Fundraisng Campaigns:

All funds will be used for Sewa UK's other projects and in line with its objectives after the primary purpose has been fulfilled to it's best endeavours. This applies if Sewa UK or the fundraiser via our portal cannot achieve the intended purpose, or the amount raised is not enough or too much, Sewa UK will be able to use the donations straightaway for the secondary purpose.

Accordance with guidance: Fundraising Regulator