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News

Here you can find cross-topic current information.

Job-Turbo Campaign Week: New Paths to Vocational Integration

The Job-Turbo campaign week will take place from 22 to 26 April. In this week, persons with a refugee background can learn more about their career opportunities in Germany and they can connect with employers looking for new employees. Throughout the country and together with the regional job centres, visits to companies and information events will be held, people can learn more about employment opportunities in different occupations and sectors.

Finding work in Germany: A letter to Ukrainian refugees

In a letter, Germany’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil, Germany’s Special Representative for the Labour Market Integration of Refugees Daniel Terzenbach and Oleksii Makeiev, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, address Ukrainian refugees. They call attention to the many ways in which refugees receive support for their integration into the labour market. 

The Job-Turbo initiative has started

The Job-Turbo initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), aims to integrate refugees into the labour market at an early stage and as permanently as possible after having acquired basic German language skills. The objective is to provide active support for placements in jobs directly after successful completion of the integration course. This is intended to boost integration processes and ensure that refugees are put in a position of securing their own livelihoods and shaping their career prospects more rapidly.

User survey 2023

Thank you for your interest and participation in our user survey, conducted between September and November 2023. The purpose of the survey was to collect your suggestions and requests for improvement in order to best meet your current needs when arriving and living in Germany.

Tell us your story! – Survey by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) for Ukrainian refugees

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) invites refugees from Ukraine to participate in a survey on their travels to Germany, life circumstances, future plans and family situation.

Disinformation related to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine

In connection with Russia’s attack on Ukraine in violation of international law, targeted disinformation from Russia plays a key and potentially destabilising role. The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) takes this threat very seriously. This document is intended to increase awareness and provide a factual basis for dealing with disinformation.

SE “Dokument“ issues Ukrainian passports and ID cards

Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Germany can file an XXX with SE “Dokument” to be issued Ukraininan passports and other ID documents. The state-owned Ukrainian enterprise XXX the National Migration Service of Ukraine, in its passport service offices offers xxx to file for ID cards, passports and the exchange of driver’s licences. The two German SE Dokument offices are located in Berlin and Cologne. For more information please click this information.

Visa-free entry extended

In Germany, war refugees from Ukraine are temporarily exempt from the requirement to have a residence title and do not need a visa for entry. This exception has once more been extended and now applies to first entries until 4 March 2024. Thus, for the duration of up to 90 days, or until no later than 2 June 2024, staying in Germany without a residence title is possible.

Acceptance deadline for joining the statutory health insurance

Refugees from Ukraine who are not vulnerable because they, for example, continue to work for their Ukrainian company while in Germany and thus have an income or they have sufficient financial reserves, can apply for acceptance in the statutory health insurance. The application must be made within six months of residing in Germany. This deadline must be adhered to, otherwise the possibility of joining the statutory health insurance will lapse. Further information on the topic of health insurance can be found by clicking on the message.

Central housing agency for refugees from Ukraine

One year after Russia's war on Ukraine, Ukrainian citizens are still seeking protection and refuge in Germany. In order to facilitate the accommodation of refugees from Ukraine and at the same time relieve the burden on the host communities, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (BMI) has decided to enter into a partnership with the Berlin-based company Wunderflats  and the non-profit social enterprise ProjectTogether  Landlords will be able to provide private housing for refugees from Ukraine quickly and unbureaucratically on a digital platform. The new platform will enable refugees to find free housing independently and in line with their individual needs. Wunderflats provides security for both landlords and tenants. For more information on accommodation for refugees from Ukraine, please click on the message.

Registering as a witness of war crimes

German criminal investigation authorities and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have initiated a criminal investigation into war crimes in connection with the war in Ukraine. Any person who witnessed possible war crimes and currently resides in Germany is also asked to come forward. If you have witnessed or experienced war crimes in Ukraine, you can contact any police station in Germany. You can find further information on investigations into war crimes and on how to register as a witness in the following article.

Financial relief with a second heating allowance

In response to rising energy costs, the Federal Government has decided to introduce a one-off heating allowance in autumn 2022. The payment date for all recipients of the housing allowance was 30 January 2023. The heating costs subsidy for recipients of BAföG funds has been available since 5 April 2023. For more information on whether you are eligible and how much you can get, please click on the message.

Information on advice and assistance on the subject of anti-discrimination

Anti-discrimination means that it is forbidden to discriminate against a person. This is defined by law in Germany. With the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), there is a set of regulations that protects against discrimination on racial grounds or on the grounds of ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity in working life and in everyday transactions. It also includes intimidation, humiliation and degradation as discrimination. For more information on anti-discrimination and how to get advice and help, click on the news item

Overview of regional Telegram groups

Telegram has proven to be a reliable information medium for Ukrainian refugees. In this overview , you will find various regional Telegram groups in Germany where you can network with other Ukrainians, exchange ideas and receive helpful information on numerous topics.

Where can I turn to if my rights have been violated?

Are you an Ukrainian in Germany and your personal rights have been violated? In this case you can apply to the Human Rights Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament. You can submit your application online, by e-mail or by phone via the hotline of the Human Rights Commissioner. Online: Log in with your personal account on the official website of the Commissioner and submit your application in the section "Submit an appeal". Important: Sign your application and identify who submitted the application. Failure to sign or identify will result in the application being disregarded. Email: Send an email to hotline@ombudsman.gov.ua . Your complaint must include your last name, first name, father's name, and place of residence and outline the essence of the issue, request, or demand being addressed. In addition, you must provide an email address or other contact address so that feedback can be sent to you. Hotline: Call the hotline of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Ukrainian Parliament at +380-800-501-720 or the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights at +38 044-253-75-89. Calls from abroad are also possible. Please find additional information by clicking this message.

Online identification via AusweisApp

As of now, AusweisApp for online identification with your electronical residence permit is available in Ukrainian, Russian, English and German. The online ID enables you, inter alia, to digitally submit your applications or wind up affairs online, which you would otherwise have to prove your identity for in person at an administration, a branch or via mail. Find further information on online identification via AusweisApp  “here”.

Video “Germany stands firmly by Ukraine’s side in this hour of danger”

Ukraine has enjoyed independence since 24 August 1991. Ukrainians are marking today’s public holiday under horrific circumstances. In his message to the Ukrainian people, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that “the dark shadow of Russia’s brutal war of aggression remains a heavy burden.” He declared that Germany stands firmly by Ukraine’s side in this hour of danger, “today and for as long as Ukraine needs our support.”

Support Request for the Transport of Goods


The association Ukraine Hilfe Berlin e. V.  (https://www.ukraine-hilfe-berlin.de/)  is in urgent need of help when it comes to the transportation of palettes with aid supplies into Ukraine. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you own a truck/large transportation vehicle and have the possibility to drive yourself. can put a truck/large transportation vehicle at our disposal. do not own a transportation vehicle, but feel fit to do the driving. If you are able to support us, please send an email to following address: uokkp.berlin@gmail.com

Information about your residence in Germany

Due to the high number of arrivals in large cities (especially in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich), we recommend you to travel to medium-sized cities, small towns or to the countryside and to register there.

This has various advantages for you:
You have a larger choice of accommodation. In large cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or Cologne, capacities and offers of vacant apartments are extremely restricted.

You have faster access to reception centers and social infrastructures and you can often benefit from arrival and integration offers without having to wait for them for long periods of time.

You have a greater choice of employment possibilities as well as improved access to nursery school places and school places.
 

European Commission Human Trafficking Alert

The European Commission provides information in a video on human trafficking for Ukrainian refugees.
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