Since the beginning of the war, many Black organizations from across the world joined forces under the Global Black Coalition founded by Equal Chance to concretely support vulnerable members of the Black community fleeing the war in Ukraine.
We needed to come together as NGOs and civil society to create a Coalition to support Black people because their needs, rights and wellbeing were being ignored during what will no doubt be one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our generation.
We worked hand in hand at the various borders, while some team members work together from their respective countries: Canada, The United Kingdom, The United States of America, France, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Poland, where team members are helping coordinate on ground efforts.
Our Coalition has been able to support over 1000 African Black people since the beginning of the war. We are providing buses, taxis to the borders, shelters, food and other essential resources which include but are not limited to blankets, baby products, hygienic products, phone cards for folks who need to contact their family members.
Now that we have helped rescue many members of the community, we are looking towards the future. Many community members relocate across Europe and the Americas, while some have decided to simply head to the motherland: Africa.
They need shelters and ongoing support. This support includes but is not limited to immigration specialists, mental health specialists, assistance with applying for school in other countries and more.
This relocation fund will support:
Transportation of community members
Accommodation of community members
Food
Mental Health support
Relocation
Universities application
Technology
Medical needs
Over the past weeks, our organization was able to develop a partnership with the University of Ottawa in Canada that has accepted to welcome many African students fleeing the war in Ukraine. Many other Canadian, European and American universities are following this lead.
We have also managed to put forward two successful motions in Switzerland to urge their government to equally welcome Black people. But still today, many Black people are not welcomed in many countries. They face difficult challenges. Indeed some of them had their passports removed while many are stressed because their temporary visas in various countries will expire soon.
On top of these issues, many community members face racism. They are blatantly told at times that they cannot have access to certain services and resources because they are for white Ukrainians.
A survey that we have conducted shows that 2 out of 3 community members have faced racism while trying to flee Ukraine and in the new bordering countries that they are trying to relocate.
Our growing Coalition will continue to actively support vulnerable members of the Black community. For that, we need your ongoing support.
Please donate what you can and continue to help us help community members who need it most.
