Jordan is one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting nations and also one of the most water-scarce countries, and therefore needs support to cope. This November marked the completion of a project in Jordan that helped Syrian refugee and local women-headed households in vulnerable situations to become more self-reliant by using smart and climate-friendly agricultural methods. In total, we trained 50 vulnerable women, and built hydroponic greenhouses for 12 of them to use.

In Estonia, Estonian language sessions for young people aged 13–18 continue, based on the immersive language-learning methodology developed by Tallinn University. In November, more than 320 people took part in adaptation trainings in Estonia. Trainings related to residence permits remain the most popular. In Ukraine, entrepreneurship training began for 105 entrepreneurs to help people affected by the war create or develop a sustainable source of income. In November, we provided winter heating assistance to a total of 2,260 families. In Armenia, three greenhouses were completed at schools in the Tavush region, and 400 students received environmental training. In Jordan, a project supporting vulnerable women-headed households in achieving independent livelihoods through smart and climate-friendly agricultural practices was completed. In Syria, we provided cash assistance to people in the city of Latakia to help them meet their basic needs following the wildfires.

On 6 December this year, the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) marked 25 years of working alongside people who have lost their homes and sense of security. Founded in 2000 and certified by the European Union, ERC has grown into the largest humanitarian organisation in the Baltic region, providing rapid emergency assistance and supporting people in rebuilding their lives in various crisis zones.

In Ukraine, winter is not simply a cold season – for people in especially vulnerable situations, it is a matter of survival. The Estonian Refugee Council is launching its winter fundraising campaign to support frontline families in Ukraine with vital heating assistance.

The entrepreneurship training programme Start Smart, organised within the framework of the employment programme UPBEAT concluded earlier in November with 37 graduates. Designed for young people with refugee and migrant backgrounds, the programme helps them strengthen their competitiveness with AI in the business and labour market. 

We organised an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn. This year, the conference focused on institutional reforms and the funding crisis, the digital transformation, and access to crisis affected communities. With the support of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we continue providing food assistance in hospitals in Gaza, distributing over 9,000 meal portions in total. Read more on the Refugee Council website. In Estonia, 37 young people with a refugee background completed a training course on artificial intelligence. Throughout October, Estonian language learning sessions for young people were held in cooperation with Tallinn University, based on the implicit language learning methodology. The mental health support hotline for Ukrainians has received more than 2,900 calls over the past six months. In Armenia, community councils amplifying the voices of people with a refugee background were established in four new locations in October: Yerevan, Gyumri, Yeghegnadzor and Dilijan. In Georgia, a programme aimed at strengthening Georgian CSOs and civil society organisations came to an end – 19 organisations received support. In Syria, the Refugee Council is providing cash assistance to 65 families over a two-month period to help them cover their basic needs.

The Estonian Refugee Council continues to distribute food aid in Gaza hospitals with the support of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensuring daily meals for both patients and hospital staff working under extremely difficult conditions. The Ministry’s funding will enable the distribution of over 9,000 meals in Gaza. 

The humanitarian conference organised by the Estonian Refugee Council brought together humanitarian experts and organisations from around the world in Tallinn yesterday. Now in its third year, the conference facilitated discussions on the need for institutional reform, the deepening funding crisis, digital transformation, and ways to support people in hard-to-reach areas.

Thanks to the generous support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, the Estonian Refugee Council has launched a new round of cash assistance for heating to help residents of frontline regions facing difficult living conditions.

On 6 November, the Estonian Refugee Council will host an international humanitarian conference at Fotografiska Tallinn, focusing on key issues shaping the sector: institutional reforms, the funding crisis, the digital transformation, and access to areas affected by crises.