19/09/2024
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On 18 September, during his visit to Estonia, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited the Estonian Refugee Council's office in Tallinn and met with refugees living in Estonia at Teacher's House (Õpetajate Maja).
According to Eero Janson, Head of the Estonian Refugee Council, hosting the UN High Commissioner is a significant honour. "During the meeting, we discussed our work in Estonia and elsewhere, as well as various joint advocacy efforts aimed at protecting the rights of people forced to flee their homes," Janson said.
Representatives from the Estonian Human Rights Centre and NGO Mondo also participated in the meeting on behalf of civil society.
Later, Filippo Grandi met with members of the local refugee community at Õpetajate Maja to hear their stories, experiences, and concerns regarding integration into Estonian society. After listening to their accounts, the High Commissioner emphasised that language barriers often pose one of the biggest obstacles to settling into a new environment, regardless of the country. He highlighted that language education is an area requiring joint efforts and thanked the Estonian Refugee Council for its work in assisting and supporting refugees.
Filippo Grandi has been the UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 2016, leading the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which coordinates international protection and assistance for more than 100 million displaced people worldwide.
20/11/2024
Ukraine Support Event Organised by the Estonian Refugee Council Draws Hundreds to Freedom Square
Ukraine Support Event Organised by the Estonian Refugee Council Draws Hundreds to Freedom Square
Yesterday, 19 November, a support event for Ukraine was held at Freedom Square in Tallinn, where 1,000 candles were lit to mark 1,000 days since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity with Ukraine, and several individuals connected to Ukraine delivered speeches.
18/11/2024
Estonian Refugee Council to Light a Thousand Candles in Support of Ukraine
Estonian Refugee Council to Light a Thousand Candles in Support of Ukraine
On 19 November, from 5 PM to 9 PM, the Estonian Refugee Council will host a solidarity event in Freedom Square, Tallinn, where a thousand candles will be lit to mark 1,000 days since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event is part of the ongoing campaign “1,000 Days of War, 1,000 Warm Homes.”
15/11/2024
Estonia, Latvia, and Finland Wrap Up Collaborative Project on Refugee Labour Market Integration
Estonia, Latvia, and Finland Wrap Up Collaborative Project on Refugee Labour Market Integration
The project, which aimed to map out opportunities for people with a refugee background to enter the labour market, culminated in an Estonian visit at the beginning of November. During the visit, participants explored the activities and initiatives of the Estonian Refugee Council and the opportunities available to refugees in Estonia.
13/11/2024
"1000 Days of War, 1000 Warm Homes": Estonian Refugee Council Calls for Donations to Support Families Near the Frontline
"1000 Days of War, 1000 Warm Homes": Estonian Refugee Council Calls for Donations to Support Families Near the Frontline
The Estonian Refugee Council launched a donation campaign on 13 November – “1000 Days of War, 1000 Warm Homes” – to collect donations during November and December to provide heating support for 1,000 Ukrainian households near the frontline.
08/11/2024
Art for healing and self-development: The story of “Kachur” online school
Art for healing and self-development: The story of “Kachur” online school
Ms. Nataliya Kachur comes from the city of Soledar in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Nataliya and her family moved away from the frontlines and to the central region of Cherkasy. It was not easy for Nataliya’s family to suddenly uproot their lives and settle in a completely new place far from their social network and previous jobs. Having 20 years of experience in teaching art, Nataliya decided to begin offering online drawing lessons, leveraging her love for art to earn a living in an unfamiliar area.
08/11/2024
International Humanitarian Conference in Tallinn Focuses on Ethical Dilemmas and Innovation in Humanitarian Aid
International Humanitarian Conference in Tallinn Focuses on Ethical Dilemmas and Innovation in Humanitarian Aid
The international humanitarian conference, organised by the Estonian Refugee Council, brought together experts and organisations from around the world in Tallinn yesterday. In its second year, the conference focused on ethical dilemmas, anticipatory action, and the use of artificial intelligence in humanitarian aid.
06/11/2024
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in October
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in October
A donation campaign in Estonia is still active to provide humanitarian aid for people affected by the conflict in Lebanon.On 7 November, we are organising an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn, which focuses on ethical dilemmas, preventive action, and the use of artificial intelligence.In Ukraine, we continue to distribute winter support to cover heating costs for 4,500 households during the upcoming winter season. Assistance will be provided in cash, or alternatively, firewood or coal will be delivered directly to those in need.A financial assistance programme was launched in Ukraine to increase food security and self-sufficiency for vulnerable households and communities by improving the winter living conditions of livestock and poultry.In Armenia’s Lori region, a women’s livelihoods programme started.Our Armenia office has signed an agreement with the Estonian University of Life Sciences to help three schools in the Tavush region implement water- and energy-efficient agricultural solutions developed in Estonia to alleviate water scarcity and promote environmental education.In Georgia, a cash assistance programme has been launched to support Ukrainian refugees living there through the winter months. For more information, visit the Estonian Refugee Council´s website.
04/11/2024
Estonian Refugee Council’s International Humanitarian Conference Focuses on the Sector's Future and Ethical Dilemmas
Estonian Refugee Council’s International Humanitarian Conference Focuses on the Sector's Future and Ethical Dilemmas
Eesti Pagulasabi korraldab 7. novembril Tallinnas, Fotografiskas rahvusvahelise humanitaarkonverentsi, mille keskmes on eetika, ennetav tegutsemine ja tehisintellekti kasutus humanitaarabis.
15/10/2024
ERC supports vulnerable households with livelihoods in the Poltava region: the story of Mykhailo Semesenko
ERC supports vulnerable households with livelihoods in the Poltava region: the story of Mykhailo Semesenko
Mykhailo and his wife have been keeping cows for over 30 years. They started with one cow to have milk for themselves. Then they got more cows and delivered milk to the dairy. After losing their main job, keeping and breeding cows became the main source of income for the couple. A husband and a wife independently take care of animals, sell milk, as well as sour milk cheese, sour cream and fermented baked milk (ryazhanka) of their own production at the local market.
09/10/2024
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in September
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's activities in September
We launched a donation campaign in Estonia to provide humanitarian aid for people affected by the conflict in Lebanon.On 7 November, we are organising an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn, which is still open for registration. This year's conference will focus on ethical dilemmas, preventive action, and the use of artificial intelligence.The third season of the "Empowering Women" programme has begun in Estonia.We have launched a nursery school counselling programme in Estonia to strengthen inclusive learning environments.As part of Mental Health Month, we are organising a Mental Well-being Day in Tallinn on 12 October.In Ukraine, we have begun distributing winter support to cover heating costs for 4,500 households during the upcoming winter season. Assistance will be provided in cash, or alternatively, firewood or coal will be delivered directly to those in need.In Armenia’s Lori region, we launched a women’s livelihoods programme.