See this information in other languages
Did you flee to the Netherlands from Ukraine? Do you have questions, or do you need advice about: medical aid, shelter, safety, food or additional support? The Netherlands Red Cross will try to help you with information on the procedures and connect you to (local) support organizations.
Contact the Red Cross WhatsApp Helpline
Send a message to our WhatsApp Helpline +31 – 97010286964 (Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM).
One of our volunteers will get in touch in your preferred language (Ukrainian, Russian or English) as soon as possible.
How is the reception of refugees from Ukraine organized in the Netherlands?
It is increasingly difficult to find shelter in the Netherlands as municipal reception centres for Ukrainian displaced persons are very full. That is why the government asks refugees from Ukraine to arrange their own accommodation if possible. The municipality’s Hubs in Rotterdam and Utrecht have also been closed because they were overcrowded.
Because of this situation some newly arrived Ukrainians in the Netherlands are seeking help from the Dutch Red Cross. However, the Dutch Red Cross does not have a role in the placement process and does not maintain a list of available places in the reception centres. Therefore, we cannot assist Ukrainians in finding a place. This can only be done by municipalities.
-
Who is responsible for placement upon arrival in the Netherlands?
Municipalities are officially responsible for the placement of Ukrainian displaced persons upon arrival in the Netherlands. When a Ukrainian displaced person arrives in the Netherlands, they can register with any municipality in the Netherlands by going to a counter of any municipality or in some cases write an email to the municipality. The municipality should then find a place in a reception centre.
However, due to the shortage of spaces in the reception centres, the Dutch government asks Ukrainians arriving in the Netherlands to arrange their own housing. Once they have done this, they must go to the municipality to register themselves.
If they are unable to find housing themselves, they can go to the municipality. The municipality will check if there is a place available in a reception centre in that municipality. If there is no place available within that municipality, the municipality must contact the Regional Coordination Centre for Refugee Dispersal (Regionaal Coördinatiecentrum Vluchtelingen Spreiding) (RCVS). They will see if there is a place in a reception centre within the region. If not, the RCVS must submit a request to the National Center for Refugee Dispersal (Landelijk Centrum Vluchtelingen Spreiding) (LCVS). They have an overview of available places across the country and can place individuals if space is available.
Because this process is centrally organized, the above procedure must be followed. The Red Cross cannot arrange shelter independently—this must go through the municipality, RCVS, or LCVS.
-
What if a municipality does not help me?
If a municipality does not help you, we advise you to send your request for shelter in an email to the municipality. For guidance and advice, you can always contact the Red Cross WhatsApp helpline. While we cannot help you find shelter, Red Cross volunteers are available to guide you in finding support and services in your area. You can contact us through WhatsApp in your own language from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 18:00 at +31 97 010 286 964.
Additionally, you can contact VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) through their online consultation service. VWN cannot provide shelter but can offer (legal) advice on your situation through an online video consultation. You can schedule an appointment with VWN here.
Further Information:
- Infographic on the registration procedure for Ukrainian refugees: Government Brochure
Working in the Netherlands
As a refugee from Ukraine, you are legally allowed to work in the Netherlands if you fall under the Temporary Protection Directive. It is important to emphasize that you have the same labour rights as a Dutch employee. Unfortunately, some employers and employment agencies may take advantage of the fact that you may not know this and try to exploit you. It is therefore important for you to have all the relevant information to prevent and minimize the risks of exploitation.
For this reason the Red Cross has developed a flyer with information on:
- Your labour rights and the risks of exploitation;
- Advice on how to stay safe;
- Where you can go for help and advice.
The flyer is an initiative of the Red Cross, together with FairWork, the Salvation Army and the Dutch Council for Refugees. The flyer is available in three languages: English, Ukrainian and in Russian.
Go to refugeehelp.com for an overview of all help offered in The Netherlands.