Helping refugees in Cologne – information at a glance
The first refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Cologne. Several offers of help for the people from Ukraine were started. The overview.
According to the UN, more than 1.5 million people are fleeing the war in Ukraine. The first refugees from Ukraine also arrived in Cologne on Thursday (March 3). More people are to follow. SO THAT they can be helped as best as possible, the city, companies and residents of Cologne are preparing various offers of help. But what are they and what does the help actually look like? The overview:
- The city of Cologne has launched several offers of help: In addition to a contact point for refugees at the main train station, there is a hotline for refugees. Accommodation options have also been prepared. The city has now provided emergency accommodation for 1,100 refugees in the exhibition hall in Cologne. In addition, the supply of food and health care is ensured. The immigration office takes care of all questions relating to the residence status of the refugees.
- The people of Cologne are also committed: In addition to countless monetary and material donations, many offer private accommodation for the refugees from the Ukraine. The organizations “warm bed” and “#accommodationukraine” mediate.
- The KVB and other transport companies also want to help: People from the Ukraine can travel by bus and train in Cologne for free.
Cologne: Tents at the main train station – the first point of contact for refugees from the Ukraine
The city set up a first contact point for refugees from the Ukraine at Cologne Central Station. Several tents were set up for this. “In order to enable better care, the refugees in the contact point have the opportunity to receive information, warm up, eat and drink something and get accommodation,” explains the city. On March 13, the drop-in center was replaced by an arrival center for Ukraine refugees.
Because “increasing numbers of people from Ukraine who fled the war in their home country are also arriving by train in Cologne.” Due to the pandemic, “all people” are first tested for Corona. If a test is positive, people can be accommodated separately.
“The city of Cologne is supported in running the contact point by auxiliary services and volunteers. These also help to convey information in Ukrainian and Russian.” The contact point is open around the clock and “is to be expanded further in the coming days.”
Cologne is preparing for Ukraine refugees: Countless accommodation options
While some of the refugees are staying with friends and acquaintances, others are staying with committed citizens. After the city of Cologne launched an appeal for help, over 1,000 residents of Cologne came forward within a few days to offer private accommodation. According to the city, anyone who would like to offer further accommodation should contact the “Blue-Yellow Cross” aid association.
And the city itself has prepared its own accommodation facilities for refugees from Ukraine. “So far, the city of Cologne has housed around 500 refugees from Ukraine in its facilities,” it said on Monday, March 7th. “There are currently 600 more places available. Further places are currently being prepared.” In addition, refugees are also placed in state institutions.
Offering a warm bed in Cologne – this is how refugees in Cologne can be helped
If you have accommodation, you can register on the website www.warmes-bett.de. The campaign, which is also supported by 1. FC Köln, aims to offer families with children from the Ukraine a safe refuge quickly and easily. “A lot of families are trying to get to safety right now. We support aid organizations on the German side, die at the borders and make initial contact with the refugees on site. On the homepage you can set how many sleeping places you can offer, for what period of time, etc.
This is how Cologne is helping refugees from Ukraine: Help hotline set up
The city has also set up an aid hotline for the refugees. People from the Ukraine who are in Cologne and are urgently looking for a place to sleep can contact us behind. The telephone number is (0221) 221 24232. Those seeking help can also contact the city at the e-mail address “[email protected]”.
Citizens who have taken in refugees can contact the city’s citizens’ hotline if they have any questions or require support. The hotline can be reached from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The phone number is (0221) 221 38000. If you have any questions about the accommodation of refugees from Ukraine, you can contact the Housing Office.
Cologne: Help for refugees from Ukraine – Immigration Office answers questions about residence status
“We also ensure the supply of food and health care,” the city continued. The Immigration Office (Dillenburger Str. 56-66, 51105 Köln-Kalk) “takes care of all questions relating to the residence status of the refugees.”
Ukraine conflict: Cologne residents help with accommodation and donations
Not only does the city support the Ukraine refugees, the people of Cologne also want to help the people from Ukraine themselves. In addition to private accommodation options, donations are made diligently. An overview of the donation options available in Cologne.
Ukraine conflict: How to offer accommodation in Cologne
If you want to offer accommodation in Cologne, you can contact two different organizations. With “warm bed” and “#wohnungukraine” citizens of Cologne can offer sleeping places to help us Ukrainian refugees.
Cologne: Refugees from the Ukraine can travel with the KVB for free
But not only the citizens are committed in Cologne. The KVB will also help the refugees from Ukraine. The company announced this in early March. “The company would like to help refugees who were able to escape the war in their home country and have found a safe haven in Cologne,” said the transport company. Until further notice, refugees can travel by bus and train free of charge.
When checked, people with Ukrainian citizenship only have to show an identity document stating their citizenship. This puts the KVB in line with Deutsche Bahn and the VRS transport association. “The offer is valid immediately and until further notice and includes all bus, tram, city and subway lines as well as all local trains,” said the association in a statement. (jw) More news on the 24RHEIN homepage. Tip: Get independent information about what’s happening in Cologne and NRW – simply subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter. This text is continuously updated.