How can I help Ukraine refugees? Where to donate clothes and how to find collection points in your area

As war tears through Ukraine thousands are fleeing their homes and livelihoods and heading to the borders to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

According to the  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) around 874,000 have fled Ukraine the start of the Russian invasion.

António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, said on Tuesday the UN and partners are “now working 24-7 to assess humanitarian needs and scale up aid, particularly to women, children, older people and those with disabilities”.

The UN estimates more than four million refugees may need protection and assistance in neighbouring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova in the coming months.

For people in the UK, one of the ways to help Ukrainian refugees is to donate cash.

A number of major charities have set up appeal funds accepting online donations to support Ukrainian refugees.

How can I help?

Organisations including Unicef, the UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and the International Rescue Committee currently have personnel in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to support the rising number of displaced people.

Immediate relief and supplies can be provided by making online financial donations to the following organisations: Unicef, the UNHCR, #HelpUkraine Emergency Appeal (established by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain), the British Red Cross, Voices of Children, Save the Children, Razom (a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organisation), Sunflower of Peace and Revived Soldiers of Ukraine.

But for those not able to make a financial contribution, many places are accepting donations of clothes and essentials.

Where can you donate clothes for refugees?

A number of independent groups have set up collection points across the UK to gather up clothes and supplies to send out to the refugees.

In London:

The Polish White Eagle Club in Balham, south London is accepting clothing, bedding and other items to help refugees from Ukraine.

The North London Collection Centre in Willesden Lane, north west London is taking nappies, sanitary items, towels, reusable cutlery, toothbrushes and underwear.

And the Lewisham Donation Hub on Lewisham High Street in south east London is taking donations every Sunday.

In the South:

The Polish Club, Southampton is accepting donations of food, warm clothes, bedding and sleeping bags, sanitary and medical supplies.

A donation point has also been set up in the town of Westbury in Wiltshire at the Rockhaven Business Park for clothes, toys, food and bedding.

In the West Midlands:

Malvern Bakehouse in Malvern, Worcestershire is collecting baby clothes, soft toys, first-aid items, blankets and sleeping bags.

And the Beared Broz, a volunteer community in Smethwick, Birmingham, is gathering clothes to send out to refugees.

In the North:

TippyToes BabyBank in Preston, Lancashire has been collecting towels, blankets and baby food send to Poland after Friday, March 11.

Polish restaurant Agie and Katie in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent is also accepting donations of medical supplies, baby items and sleeping bags.

In Wales:

The Friends and Neighbours Centre in Neath, Wales will be accepting donations from 11am to 1pm on 3 March.

The Rogue Fox Coffee House in Newport, Wales is taking donations of thermal clothes, hats and gloves, duvets, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows during this week.

In Scotland:

Mossgiel Organic Farm, in East Ayrshire, Scotland has been gathering clothes, blankets, duvets, sleeping bags, toys, nappies and canned food.

The Co-op on Bridge Road in Banff, Aberdeenshire has a collection point for people to drop off donations.

How to find collection points in your area?

If these collections point are not in your area, it may be worth contacting charities directly such as the British Red Cross and Save the Children or local charity shops or local councils to find your closest donation point.

https://inews.co.uk/uncategorized/how-help-ukraine-refugees-where-donate-clothes-how-find-collection-points-1493992

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