On the ground First-Contact supporters follow this step by step manual to help refugees.
Please take some time to go through the points below and encourage others to read them.
If you can, print them out and pass them on.
When people who arrive seem lost or stuck:
Point out the way to the port authorities and the police station
Give them a lift
Call the authorities
Provide water
THE BASICS
Be welcoming and supportive.
Take some time to speak with newly arriving people and encourage them to stay hopeful.
Inform people about the activities of the First Contact Organisation and other institutions.
Encourage others to get involved.
Helpful questions to ask:
Where are you from?
Advice: Point them to the right camp.
Point to the differences in registration.
Do you need medical advice?
Advice: Point to a doctor or hospital.
Are you injured?
Advice: Point to a doctor or hospital or accompany them until help arrives.
Who are you with?
Advice: Help them locate the people they were travelling with.
Where are you going?
Advice: Give advice about what to expect at their final destination and during their travel.
Give them specific information about the next steps they need to take.
Do you know how to book a transit (ferry/ bus/ taxi/ train)?
Advice: Help them book or point them to a booking office.
Do you know anyone at your final destination?
Advice: Try connecting them with your contacts in the specific country.
Point them to the Migration Hub.
THE MORE ADVANCED
Often, newly arriving people are not allowed to go shopping at the supermarket until they have been registered.
Things refugees need most:
food (cookies, bread, fruits) and water.
tissues, disinfectants, toiletries and diapers for babies.
clothes
Note: Don’t give out dairy products when it’s too hot/ sunny!
How you can help
provide goods directly
go shopping on the behalf of refugees
drop goods off at the authorities in central arrival spots
Offer to distribute goods that cannot be transported otherwise
Many people are trying to reach their loved ones back home, you can either:
Buy them a prepaid SIM Card
Provide them with a HotSpot
Allow them to make a call from your cellphone
People in refugee camps need most:
Clothes
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Flashlight
Toothbrushes
Sanitary products for women
Shaving kits
Caps
emergency blankets?
Backpacks
Big towels
Toys
prepaid SIM cards and other technical devices (used phones and tablets)
Point out the way to the port authorities and the police station
Give them a lift
Call the authorities
Provide water
THE BASICS
Be welcoming and supportive.
Take some time to speak with newly arriving people and encourage them to stay hopeful.
Inform people about the activities of the First Contact Organisation and other institutions.
Encourage others to get involved.
Helpful questions to ask:
Where are you from?
Advice: Point them to the right camp.
Point to the differences in registration.
Do you need medical advice?
Advice: Point to a doctor or hospital.
Are you injured?
Advice: Point to a doctor or hospital or accompany them until help arrives.
Who are you with?
Advice: Help them locate the people they were travelling with.
Where are you going?
Advice: Give advice about what to expect at their final destination and during their travel.
Give them specific information about the next steps they need to take.
Do you know how to book a transit (ferry/ bus/ taxi/ train)?
Advice: Help them book or point them to a booking office.
Do you know anyone at your final destination?
Advice: Try connecting them with your contacts in the specific country.
Point them to the Migration Hub.
THE MORE ADVANCED
Often, newly arriving people are not allowed to go shopping at the supermarket until they have been registered.
Things refugees need most:
food (cookies, bread, fruits) and water.
tissues, disinfectants, toiletries and diapers for babies.
clothes
Note: Don’t give out dairy products when it’s too hot/ sunny!
How you can help
provide goods directly
go shopping on the behalf of refugees
drop goods off at the authorities in central arrival spots
Offer to distribute goods that cannot be transported otherwise
Many people are trying to reach their loved ones back home, you can either:
Buy them a prepaid SIM Card
Provide them with a HotSpot
Allow them to make a call from your cellphone
People in refugee camps need most:
Clothes
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Flashlight
Toothbrushes
Sanitary products for women
Shaving kits
Caps
emergency blankets?
Backpacks
Big towels
Toys
prepaid SIM cards and other technical devices (used phones and tablets)