NNIC statement regarding the crisis in Ukraine
Like many of you, the board and of the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) are deeply concerned over the Russian invasion of Ukraine and we are monitoring the rapidly evolving situation closely. We commend the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Many of you have also asked how you can help, and if Ukrainian refugees will be resettled in the United States and ultimately in our community. That question cannot yet be answered as it takes months if not years for the international refugee community to recognize a protracted conflict. In the meantime, NNIC is working with some community leaders to establish a fund to help fleeing Ukrainians. Please check back with us soon to learn more about how you can contribute. Please note, your contributions will not go to the NNIC, but will be collected here locally and sent to an appropriate international organization on the ground in Ukraine or one of the adjacent countries.
Below please find information that might be useful for family members, colleagues and others who are directly affected by the crisis in Ukraine.
Assistance for individuals from or fleeing Ukraine
For Ukrainian nationals currently in the United States who do not have an immigration status allowing them to remain in the United States, USCRI is urging the Biden administration to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukraine. Individuals who are beneficiaries of TPS can apply for employment authorization, and are not removable from the United States for the duration of the TPS designation. At this moment, there is no TPS designation for Ukraine.
We are monitoring the situation closely, and will keep you abreast when further updates and information become available.
If your family member has an existing refugee case through the Lautenberg Program in Ukraine and has left the country, they should write to Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Eurasia at icc@iom.int and inform the RSC of their new location and contact details. If the cases are Ready for Departure and in a location where the International Organization for Migration (IOM) can organize their departure at the time, they will be informed by the RSC of the next steps. USRAP refugee applicants cannot self-arrange their travel. Pre-Embarkation Check (PEC) and departure have to be arranged by IOM.
If you are a refugee or an asylee in the United States and want your family abroad to join you, there are various avenues to take. Please refer to USCIS guidance and contact an immigration attorney. USCRI also offers legal services.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) has established two hotlines (527 toll-free from mobiles and 0-800-505-501 from landlines) to provide updates to people leaving Ukraine, including information on border crossings, required documentation and other entry requirements, as well as available assistance services in neighboring countries. The hotlines operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm daily. IOM hotline numbers and support contacts can be found here:
- Ukraine: 527 toll-free from mobiles and 0-800-505-501 from landlines
- Poland: +48 22 490 20 44
- Romania: the online support platform dopomoha.ro (developed by Code4Romania with support from IOM Romania) is now live.
- Lithuania: +370 525 14352 is run by IOM's Migration Information Centre, also available through live chat
- Slovakia: from abroad 00421 5263 0023, locally 0850 211 478, Telegram/Signal: 00421 908 767 853 (voice only), or on the IOM website
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has established an emergency hotline for foreign students wishing to leave Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. Those who require assistance can call, Viber or Telegram the following number: +380 93418 56 84. The questionnaire has also been created for collecting basic information about students and their whereabouts in order to advise them on the means available for their departure.
For Ukrainians traveling to or present in other countries, please see below from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)’s Ukraine page for information about asylum procedures and where to go for help.
- In the Czech Republic: Please see the UNHCR HELP page for the Czech Republic and the government webpage. Hotline number +420 974 801 802.
- In Hungary: Please see the UNHCR HELP page for Hungary: and the page of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee.
- In Moldova: Please see the page of the asylum authorities and this partner page for available services. You can contact UNHCR at: hunbu@unhcr.org.
- In Poland: Please see the UNHCR HELP page for Poland and the Polish government website for Ukrainians (scroll down for additional languages and note their hotline at: +48477217575).
- In Romania: Please see the UNHCR HELP page for Romania and the website of our partner, the National Council for Refugees.
- In Slovakia: Please see the UNHCR HELP page for Slovakia and the Slovak government website for Ukrainians.
- In all other countries: Please see the UNHCR HELP page and select the relevant country.
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and non-Ukrainian citizens support
Community-led Google doc (updated daily). The document has information on the following topics:
- Contacts to communities embassies in neighboring countries
- Asylum and legal advice in Germany
- Hosts in Germany
- Transport/supplies
- Would you like to support
- Psychological support