The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) for Eastern Europe is a resource for organisations and individuals responding to the war on Ukraine. It provides practical and accessible safeguarding resources that aim to reduce harm to refugees and displaced people.
Governments, NGOs, civil society organisations (CSOs), faith-based organisations and volunteers across Eastern Europe have mobilised to welcome and offer support to Ukrainian refugees and displaced people. Whilst this effort is welcomed, the crisis and its response present various safeguarding risks – where people providing services to refugees can inflict harm – including unintentionally – on refugees and displaced people.
This can include sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH), physical violence, exploitation, discrimination, harassment or denial of services. These might occur at border crossings, in transit centres, and while accessing accommodation and services. Some individuals such as children, women, racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) individuals face particularly high risks.