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.

Kanadas asuv väliseestlasi koondav Eesti oikumeeniline abiorganisatsioon EERO Canada aitas kogutud annetuste toel Eesti Pagulasabil ellu viia “MindSpring” meetodil toimivaid pagulastaustaga inimeste vaimset heaolu toetavaid grupikohtumisi. 

We are organising an international humanitarian conference in Tallinn on 6 November, and registration is still open. This year, the conference will focus on institutional reforms and the funding crisis, the digital transformation, and access to crisis affected communities. We opened an office in Syria to support people affected by the civil war and help them rebuild their lives. Despite the ongoing hostilities in Gaza throughout September, we managed to deliver 2,900 food portions to local hospitals. We continue to collect donations in Estonia to provide essential food aid that gives patients strength to recover and supports doctors and nurses in their vital work. Make a donation on the Estonian Refugee Council website. In Estonia, we kicked off the new season of Start Smart training on AI, with 40 young people with refugee backgrounds taking part.  Since spring, we have supported more than 2,400 people through our mental health helpline. The helpline is available to Ukrainians both in Ukraine and across other European countries, providing much-needed support to those affected by the war. We opened hydroponic greenhouses at three schools in Armenia to help address the impacts of climate change and ensure food security in water-scarce conditions. The greenhouses also promote environmental education for children and strengthen social inclusion.  We supported more than 390 Ukrainian refugees in Georgia with cash-based humanitarian aid to help them cover their basic needs.

At the end of September, the Estonian Refugee Council officially opened hydroponic greenhouses built at three schools in Armenia’s Tavush region, helping alleviate water scarcity, address climate and social challenges, and provide environmental education for children. The programme gives more than 400 pupils the opportunity to learn and experience how to grow plants without soil, while gaining practical knowledge of hydroponics and composting. 

The Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) has received official approval to open an office in Syria, aiming to support people affected by the nearly 14-year-long civil war and contribute to the country’s rebuilding efforts. The presence of the Estonian Refugee Council allows assistance both to those displaced within the country and to those returning home after prolonged periods as refugees.

In the Myrhorod community, located in Poltava region of Ukraine, every household tells a story of daily hard work and a deep love for the land. Well-tended flowerbeds, cosy homesteads, and fertile gardens and orchards all speak to one truth: life goes on, even in the shadow of war.

Last week, the Estonian Refugee Council began providing food aid in hospitals across Gaza City to support both patients and medical staff. Thanks to Estonian donors, 1,400 meals have now been distributed in Gaza.

We are raising donations in Estonia to ensure daily meals in two hospitals in Gaza City. With the support of Estonian donors, we can provide essential food aid that gives patients the strength to recover and supports doctors and nurses who are working under difficult conditions to save lives. Do not look away. Help break through hunger. Make a donation on the Estonian Refugee Council website. Registration has opened in Estonia for the new season of the Start Smart training on artificial intelligence, aimed at young people aged 15–29 with a refugee background. In Ukraine, we are launching a new entrepreneurship programme to help people affected by the full-scale war build sustainable sources of income. In Armenia, we have set up hydroponic greenhouses to help schools cope with climate change and ensure access to food in water-scarce conditions. The greenhouses also serve to strengthen children’s knowledge of the environment. Also in Armenia, four community councils were launched in August to help make the voices of people with refugee backgrounds better heard in standing up for their rights.

Estonian Refugee Council begins providing food aid in the Gaza Strip to support local hospitals and ensure daily meals for both patients and healthcare workers.  

In early August, the Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) team deployed to Zaporizhzhia oblast to deliver urgently needed assistance to residents of Bilenke, a village coping with the aftermath of a recent attack.