Volunteering with All4Aid’s Ukrainian Refugee Response, Bucharest, Romania
male and female volunteers accepted
Flexible Dates
* Minimum 1 Week *
1. What to Expect
Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and the consequent exodus of thousands of Ukrainians who crossed into neighbouring countries, All4Aid has set up a new programme to respond to the needs of Ukrainian refugees staying in or passing through Romania. Our humanitarian response is three-fold:
a. Accommodation
All4Aid has three large housing units in Romania, two in Bucharest, and another in Giurgiu County, 25 minutes from Bucharest. Altogether, we have the capacity to provide accommodation to 89 Ukrainian refugees.
b. Transportation
All4Aid supports the Ukrainian refugees in Romania with the provision of transportation from the border crossing to their accommodations in Bucharest. This is done through the work of our volunteer drivers.
c. Distribution
All4Aid collects, organises and distributes donations of food and non-food items (such as clothes, hygiene items and medicine) to Ukrainian refugees.
The model developed for our Ukrainian Refugee Response is simple, but not necessarily easy. There are language barriers and cultural differences. The people we serve have been through all sorts of ordeals. They are still in the midst of their journey and they all process their trauma in different ways. Our calling is to show them love and to serve them as best as we can.
2. What Will You Do
You will support All4Aid’s operations, as requested by the Response Coordinator, performing tasks such as:
- Serving as a driver of our minibus (9 seater), taking people from the border to accommodations, to the airport, train stations, etc.;
- Supporting the management of the All4Aid housing units (e.g.: building furniture, cleaning, changing beddings, preparing spaces for new arrivals);
- Sorting out dry food and non-food items (such as: diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products, clothing, etc.) and preparing them for distribution;
- Welcoming and providing hospitality to refugees, serving them tea and coffee, engaging in conversations, etc.;
- Assisting in preparation and distribution of cooked meals;
- Providing and/or supporting any special activities and workshops in accordance with your gifts, such as: craft sessions for women, beauty services (manicure/pedicure/hairstyling), music lessons, crochet, painting, dancing, yoga, self-defense, sewing workshops, etc.
- Any other tasks that are practicable and reasonable and that, if requested, you feel comfortable performing as part of our Response to support Ukrainian refugees.
As a short-term volunteer you will serve 5 days per week, 8 hours per day. You will work alongside a wonderful team of people who have the same heart to serve those in need. You will be able to meet and talk to refugees on a daily basis.
3. The Volunteers We Need
Volunteers must be:
- at least 18 years old (minors can also volunteer when accompanied by one of their parents or an assigned responsible person / guardian);
- able to communicate in English;
- be financially independent (able to cover their own costs for travel, accommodation and meals).
Volunteers must also display the following characteristics:
- Team Player: working well with others and thinking more of the team’s good than of personal preference;
- Flexible: willing to make adjustments – and have adjustments made for them – joyfully;
- Teachable: open to learn and be taught new things with a positive and responsive attitude;
- Compassionate: caring deeply in a tangible way for the needs of those around them;
- Respectful: showing dignity to those whom they serve and those whom they serve with;
- Encouraging: intentionally uplifting and building up those around them with their words and actions.
4. Financial Contribution
150 EUR
Please note: All4Aid does not demand a payment from those volunteering with us. We simply request volunteers to make a donation to All4Aid, with such funds being utilised in our programme for the benefit of the refugees we serve and to cover some administrative costs related to the recruitment of short-term volunteers.
5. Your Flights
Volunteers should make their own arrangements of flights to Bucharest, Romania.
6. Accommodation
All4Aid has furnished accommodations that we make available for volunteers on a first come first served basis. As an example, to stay alone in a studio apartment, we request a donation of 30 € p.n. (min. 5 nights), 25 € per night (min. 30 nights) and 20 € p.n. (min. 60 nights). Please note that availability is limited and the type of accommodation may vary. We will inform you during the application process what we have available.
Volunteers coming as part of a large team should make their own arrangements for accommodation.
7. Local Transportation
The use of public transport in Bucharest is not advised. Due to the various locations involved in the response program, it is not feasible to rely on public transport.
Individual volunteers staying in Bucharest who do not have a driver’s license and/or want to save money, may want to participate in the costs of car sharing with our long term workers, riding to/from work each day (5 € per day).
Large volunteer teams, as well as individual volunteers who have a driver’s license and would likely want to be more independent, and are encouraged to rent their own car.
8. Meals
Volunteers are responsible to organise their own meals.
9. Application
Ready to apply? Click on the link below to fill out the application form.
Still have questions? Please, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be glad to answer your questions, as you consider this opportunity to serve as a volunteer with our Ukrainian Refugee Response.