IOM Germany: Ukraine Response

IOM Germany

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Germany has stepped up efforts in response to the growing needs of Ukrainians and third-country nationals (TCNs) who were forced to flee Ukraine due to the ongoing war in the country by providing targeted information on available protection and assistance.

Furthermore, IOM Germany is committed to establish and improve protection and access to services for vulnerable populations. To this end, IOM is working with government authorities and civil society organizations, including diaspora networks and migrant self-organizations, which deliver assistance on the ground to people arriving in Germany.

This page features the main resources and information for people who fled Ukraine to Germany, as well as for local actors working on the matter.

Support for people fleeing Ukraine, first responders and volunteers

General Information

People coming to Germany from Ukraine can find information on the German Ministry of the Interior's help portal Germany4Ukraine regarding assistance, accommodation or medical care. 

The relevant pages of the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the German Ministry of Interior provide further information.
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees also runs a service hotline, open Monday – Friday between 09:00am and 15:00: +49 911 943-0.

Information for adult immigrants in Germany are provided via chat-based counselling by mbeon: Free of charge and confidential online migration counselling on topics such as such as living and staying in Germany, career and education, learning German, health care, housing, financial security for your livelihood, further education for your children and many other questions. Find out more about the mbeon app in these videos in Ukrainian or Russian or check out the mbeon flyer (UA, RU).

Information on medical care and health insurance in Germany can be found on the respective pages of the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community and the public health insurances (GKV).

For arrivals in Berlin find relevant information here.  

Third country nationals exiting Ukraine who are planning to come to Germany should reach out to the relevant embassy in Berlin. A list of the Embassies in Berlin and their contact details can be found here.

Survey with Third Country Nationals from Ukraine in Germany: IOM is conducting a study on the characteristics and needs of persons displaced by the war in Ukraine arriving in Germany. The study is intended to understand better the situation of third country nationals fleeing Ukraine. The survey will take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed here.

Hotlines and Counselling

IOM offers a hotline for people from Ukraine in Germany: You can call IOM's Virtual Counsellors for information on housing, medical care, legal questions, employment as well as any further available support in Germany from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm (Kyiv time). Our Counsellors provide their support free of charge in Ukrainian, Russian and English through WhatsApp, Telegram and Viber under the following numbers: +38 050 428 45 65, +38 050 030 22 68 and +38 050 428 46 60.

Women affected or threatened by violence can call this Help Line for counselling in several languages, including Ukrainian and Russian.

Online counselling for children and young people is offered free of charge, confidentially and 24/7 via email and chat by JugendNotmail in different languages, among them Ukrainian and Russian.

Roma who have fled Ukraine to Germany can receive counselling in Romani, Ukrainian and Russian by calling +49 176 88215091 and 06621/9811-53. The hotline, supported by the Documentation and Cultural Center of German Sinti and Roma in cooperation with The Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany (ZWST) is available every day from 9am to 5pm.

Counter Trafficking

Key factors to consider to remain safe while travelling to Germany are summarised in this flyer from the German Federal Police.

Information on how to remain safe on the way are also provided in this IOM KOK flyer to protect against human trafficking.

The German NGO network against human trafficking provides a search function to find a specialised counselling centre in Germany.

Psychosocial First Aid

Field workers can find important information and support in WHO's Guide on Psychosocial First Aid: PFA Handbook in English.

The films "Flight and Trauma" by the Max Planck Institut of Psychiatry address refugees and helpers. They explain possible somatic and mental symptoms which can occur after flight and migration - in order to obtain relief and to seek help. The videos are available in Ukrainian, Russian, German, English and other languages.

Gender-Based Violence

Information on how to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) is compiled in the IOM GBV flyer, available in several languages including Ukrainian and Russian. The GBV Pocket Guide by the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) provides in-depth information. The flyer and the pocket guide can be accessed here under GBV Resources.

IOM's videos on sexual and gender based violence "No one has the right to hurt you" are available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

IOM Hotlines in Ukraine and neighbouring countries

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has set up information and support hotlines in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries: IOM hotline numbers for persons fleeing Ukraine.

Toll-free national hotline for people of all nationalities exiting Ukraine:
- If calling from a land line in Ukraine: (+380) 0-800-505-501.
- If calling from a mobile phone in Ukraine: 527.
The line is open daily from 08:00 – 20:00 (GMT +2; one hour later than Germany). More information can be found here.
Additionally, the government of Ukraine has established an emergency hotline for African, Asian and other students wishing to leave Ukraine: +380 934 185 684.

People in Germany can contact this IOM Hotline to get information on housing, medical care, legal questions, employment as well as any further available support in Germany by calling the following numbers: +38 050 428 45 65, +38 050 030 22 68 and +38 050 428 46 60.

IOM's global Ukraine response

Information on IOM's response to the war in Ukraine, including regular situation reports and statements, is available here.