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RefugeeHomeNL is a consortium formed by four organizations, established at the initiative of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The Dutch Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Vluchtelingenwerk (Dutch Council for Refugees), and the Takecarebnb Foundation collaborate within RefugeeHomeNL with the aim of coordinating and facilitating a safe, sustainable, and humane form of private accommodation for Ukrainian displaced individuals. We bring together the needs of Ukrainian refugees with the spontaneous assistance offered by Dutch host families, providing support to both guests and host families to ensure a pleasant and secure stay. The project started in March 2022. On December 31st 2023 RefugeeHomeNL has ended.
Yes, currently your guest is allowed to drive in the Netherlands and the rest of the EU if they have a valid Ukrainian driver’s license. Ukrainian driver’s licenses that expired before 2022 need to be renewed by the Ukrainian authorities first. This can be done through the Ukrainian embassy. Ukrainian driver’s licenses that expired after 2022 will be automatically extended for the duration of the state of emergency in the country.
Exploitation is a criminal offense. If you have suspicions of exploitation, it’s advisable to report it to the police in all cases. To do so, call 0900 – 8844. If you have doubts or prefer to discuss it first, please contact your municipality for help.
As mentioned, Ukrainian displaced individuals are at risk of exploitation by employers. It would be helpful if you are vigilant for potential signs of exploitation:
- There is no employment agreement or contract.
- The employer only wants to pay in cash.
- Salary is not paid, partially paid, or paid late.
- Dangerous work or an unsafe workplace.
- Working long hours.
- The employer retains passports and documents.
- Evasive answers to questions about the nature of the work.
Your guest is in a vulnerable position. People from Ukraine are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking and exploitation. They can be forced into work, sex work, or criminal activities under distressing circumstances. Signs that may indicate this:
- Your guest receives a job offer that sounds “too good to be true.”
- Your guest doesn’t have their own identification documents, or someone else always speaks for them.
- Your guest has to work a lot under poor conditions in exchange for low or inadequate pay.
- You notice bruises or other marks that could indicate physical violence.
- Your guest reacts fearfully to certain individuals who visit or call them and is secretive about their work.
Contact the police at 0900 – 8844 when you indicate signs or risks. In urgent situations, always call 112.
The greatest gift is your hospitality. By opening up your home, you provide your guest with a safe and pleasant place to stay. Discuss with your guest how and with what you can assist them. This varies from person to person. While one guest might be very independent and can navigate their way well in the Netherlands, another might be quite anxious, and it would be nice if you could help them feel at home. A listening ear, providing a warm and homely environment, doing activities together like shopping or eating, experiencing the everyday normal life… all of these things can be helpful.
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