Organization’s total assistance since the war began is $16 million worldwide.
New York, NY UJA-Federation of New York recently announced that it is providing more than $2.5 million this summer to assist refugees of the ongoing war in Ukraine who are in Israel. The funds will go toward programs that offer critical humanitarian assistance including childcare, summer camps and mental health services and are being administered through six Israeli cities and several nonprofit organizations.
The $2.5 million will assist both olim and the approximately 20,000 refugees in Israel who are ineligible for government assistance under the country’s Law of Return.
UJA partnered with several municipalities where refugees are settling and that have significant existing Russian-speaking populations, including Haifa, Netanya, Ashdod, Rishon LeZion, Beer Sheva and Bat Yam.
The refugee population in particular has faced tremendous challenges, as they lack adequate financial assistance and support. Services and programming in the partnering cities are being offered in a coordinated manner with effectiveness and efficiency for this population, as a result of UJA’s intervention.
“Together with our partnering organizations and municipalities, UJA built a much-needed infrastructure on the ground to address the urgent needs of refugee and immigrant families who arrived in dire circumstances to Israel,” said Itzik Shmuli, director-general, Israel office, UJA-Federation of New York. “While the current allocations are targeted for summer activities, UJA’s Israel office continues to be in close contact with government, local authorities and NGOs, contributing to the planning of longer-term solutions to a situation that will likely not subside any time soon. By building this strong network, the voices and needs of the refugees are being heard and handled in a way that did not exist prior.”
The $2.5 million allocation will provide the following:
- Establish centers for refugee children ages 2-6: $425,000. Run by teams of psychologists and educators trained in childhood trauma counseling, the centers will provide psychosocial support and early childhood education.
- Summer programs for refugee children ages 7-18: $495,000 for summer camps, language immersion, summer school and extracurricular activities.
- Community mental health: $354,150 for trauma counseling and psychosocial support.
- Municipal funds: $870,000 in cash to assist refugees with critical basic needs including food, medicine, personal hygiene, clothing and transportation.
- Volunteer network of 240 Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking therapists: $72,320.
- Establish a network of Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking volunteers: $65,000.
- Protecting women and children from human trafficking: $37,000 to protect vulnerable women and children who are alone in Israel.
- Training and job placement of olim: $40,000.
- Summer camp for Ukrainian olim living in youth villages without families: $25,000.
- Legal assistance and other advocacy for refugees: $92,000.
- Summer activities at an aid center housing 60 refugee families: $20,000.
