Two of my dearest friends in CH are Ukrainian and have relatives currently en route from Ukraine by car: a sister plus + 2 kids and a mother. (The kids' dad cannot leave the country. ) I have met the family several times over the course of nearly 15 years, and they even put me up in their home for a week and fed me obscene amounts of home-cooked food when I visited the Ukraine a few years back.
I am trying to offer what assistance I can with the means and connections that I have, but I know that things are going to be very difficult for them here.
I am reaching out to ask for any information people might have regarding Facebook groups or message boards or anything really that might help connect them with individuals or groups or organizations that are offering on-the-ground assistance in Switzerland to refugees arriving from the Ukraine. Food banks, clothing, toys for kids, etc.
In particular I know accommodation is literally going to be tight: I don't think there is a plan right now, which means 4 adults and 4 kids will be sharing an upper-floor 2-bedroom flat.
It would be AMAZING if I could match them with someone who might have spare accommodation they'd be willing to offer (for example, someone might have an unused granny annex in a farmhouse) but I have no idea how to go about connecting with such people.
Anyone have any suggestions or leads? Infinite thanks in advance to everyone for your help.
PS to mods: I had a look at the Ukraine- what can WE do here in CH to help? thread but it's mostly noise, I decided to start my own thread to get more attention. Hope that's okay.
But also talk to your Commune - they have all sort of Holiday accommodation for youth groups/school trips, etc- and maybe able to give access and support, financial and otherwise.
In my area I would know lots of possible places, but not in Lausanne.
If there is anything that you or they need to help make their stay more comfortable, please let us know. I have extra blankets, towels, pillows, some comfy inflatable mattresses, toys, etc. Actually, if there is anything like that that you need, please send me a private message in case I miss a response here.
Bossa Nova, I have lots of (good) clothing I was going to give away, also kitchen stuff and a mattress. I am not in your area but maybe something can be arranged?
Thanks so much to everyone for the links and offers of help, it is much appreciated. Have sent a few PMs to people.
I will be seeing my friend tomorrow and will share some of the information forum members have so generously provided, and will ask about clothing sizes.
I like the fact that you started a thread for "Lausanne". That makes sense. Perhaps others will follow suit when they have a need or know of help centres in their respective areas of Switzerland.
I know I'm on the other side of the country, but I have a spare room that I could provide. Due to a moderately unhappy set of circumstances I now live alone in a 4.5 room apartment.
Can anybody point me towards a resource to share this in the ZH area?