Frequently Asked Questions

Registration of guest families

• I have registered as an interested host family, but I have not yet received any message from you, is my registration received properly?
  We send invitations for the next sessions once or twice a week. If you have not received any email for more than a week, please send an email to help@nutwente.nlWe will check if you are registered in the system.
• I went to an information session How can I register for register permanently?
  The easiest way is to go to the website www.nutwente.nl and indicate that you have been to the information meeting.
• I did apply, but I decided not to become a host family. How can I deregister? unsubscribe?
  If you registered as an interested party, you can unsubscribe by sending an email to help@nutwente.nl. If you still want to help, consider becoming a volunteer or buddy! You can register at www.nutwente.nl
• I have children at home, can I take in Ukrainian refugees?
  This is certainly possible. We do recommend involving children in the decision, so that they do not feel overwhelmed or that they are being replaced. It also has a big impact on their lives, so be sure to discuss it.
• I would like to take care of childrenIs that possible?
  We do not place children travelling on their own with host families. They go to special care by the safety region Twente, because they need special guidance within the Netherlands. Also because of safety reasons we do not want to place this vulnerable group with private persons. If you do have experience with foster care, please contact your municipality to see how you can help.
  You can indicate that you would like to take in a family. This is often a mother and children, but sometimes the whole family including father or child with mother and grandmother or aunt.
• How can I best involve my own children in the decision to accept refugees?
  We recommend that you consult your children carefully. Tell them what the impact will be on their lives if people come to live in your house and why you would like to receive people. It may be that they will have to share the living room and the TV, for example, or that the Ukrainians will also eat with you. Listen carefully to what they are afraid of.
  Involve your children in the decision whether you want to take in adults or a family. Some children will like having a Ukrainian child in the house, but not everyone.

Registration of Ukrainian refugees

• I am going on a bus people from the border. Can we accommodate all these people at NuTwente?
  Ukrainians who come to Twente must always report to the municipality. This can be done at the town hall during office hours and with the police outside office hours. They will refer you to the emergency shelter or NuTwente. We cannot guarantee that these people will be housed by guest families via NuTwente.
• I have already taken in Ukrainians, how can I still get support from NuTwente?
  You can register via our website. If this does not work, send an e-mail to help@nutwente.nl

After registration

• I have registered with you but also with other organisations such as TakeCareBnBIs this possible?
  This is not a problem for us. However, we would like to hear from you if you have taken someone in via another organisation, because then we can take you off the list. In addition, we would like to point out that there is a proliferation of aid organisations and not all of them take privacy legislation and rules regarding housing into account. Please pay attention to this.
• I have signed up. What are the next steps?
  Once you have applied, you will receive an invitation to an information session. These are essential, as we want all host families to be able to make a good consideration based on the latest information. After the information session, you can finally register. After that, we will quickly contact you to schedule an introduction and intake at the location where you want to host Ukrainian refugees. We do this to be able to answer all your questions and to see if the location meets the set guidelines.
  Finally, you will be matched with the refugees. We cannot guarantee that this will happen within a certain timeframe. It very much depends on the emergency accommodation at the municipalities and how many people are coming to the region. You can indicate that you need, for example, a few days to prepare the space. After that you can expect a phone call saying that we have people who would like to be placed with you.

Information sessions

• There is no information session in mynear meWill there still be one?
  We are busy organising information sessions throughout Twente. At the moment, we have a small team that can give these meetings. We are trying to organise meetings throughout Twente, but it may take some time and you may have to go to a neighbouring municipality.
• I would like to organise an information session in my municipality.
  If you would like to hold an information session in your municipality, you have a good idea for a location and you expect enough people to attend, please contact olga.nielsen@nutwente.nl. We are always open to holding more information sessions.
• I really cannot come to an information meeting, can I still become a host family?
  If you have a clear reason, such as no transport or reduced mobility, please send a message to help@nutwente.nlWe will then see if it is possible to provide the information during the intake interview. However, we find it important that you come to the information meeting. If you cannot come because of previous appointments, for example, we will ask you to come to the next meeting.
  The information sessions are held in Dutch. Are you unable to understand Dutch? Then send an email to help@nutwente.nl and we will see if we can provide the information in another way.

Locations

• I do not live in Twente, can I still register with you?
  NuTwente Foundation only provides shelter in the Twente Safety Region. These are the municipalities of Almelo, Borne, Dinkelland, Enschede, Hof van Twente, Haaksbergen, Hellendoorn, Hengelo, Losser, Oldenzaal, Rijssen-Holten, Tubbergen, Twenterand and Wierden. If you do not live in these municipalities, we will gladly refer you to other organisations, such as TakeCareBnb.
• How many people can I accommodate in my space?
  There are requirements for reception. For example, in the sleeping area there must be at least 3.5 m2 per person. In addition, daylight is important and access to a bathroom and kitchen. It is also useful if the people from Ukraine have somewhere more private to retreat to. The rooms must also be heated.
• I live in the outlying areaCan I take care of people?
  You certainly can! You have to consider that many Ukrainians cannot cycle (yet) and that it can be difficult for them to undertake things independently, such as school or (voluntary) work.

Healthcare

• Do Ukrainians have access to the Dutch health care?
  Yes, they can go to the general practitioners. They will provide their services free of charge and can also refer to hospital or specialist care. GPs can also prescribe medication. The Ukrainian people do not need health insurance at the moment. At the moment, there is an exception for dental care.
• Can I register the Ukrainian people I receive with my family doctor?
  Yes, this is possible
• Are Ukrainians vaccinated against corona?
  Due to privacy laws, we cannot inform you about this. We can say that many Ukrainians are vaccinated, but that they often have had the Russian Sputnik vaccine. We are discussing with the GGD how Ukrainians who still want to be vaccinated can get it.
• What should I do if my Ukrainian guests fall ill or suffer from extreme stress?
  If there is a serious emergency, the same applies as for the Dutch: you can call the family doctor during office hours and the family doctor's clinic outside office hours.
  NuTwente is setting up help sessions especially for mental health in the Ukrainian language.
  In case of acute distress, please call 112.

Finances, benefits and allowances

• Does taking in Ukrainian refugees affect my benefit benefit, rent allowance or health care benefit?
  At the moment this is not quite clear. What we have been told by the tax authorities is that guest accommodation counts as "lodging" and not as an allowance partner. We therefore expect that this will have no effect.
• Do the people of Ukraine have access to their bank account?
  Usually not. They will have to apply for this in the Netherlands. For this they need a BSN, which can be requested when they are registered at the municipality.
• Do the host families or the Ukrainians receive financial assistance from the government?
  It has been announced that Ukrainians will soon receive living allowance. The amount depends on the family composition and on whether they are hosted in emergency accommodation or with host families. The municipalities of Twente will soon be providing this. However, this infrastructure still needs to be built.
  We advise you to agree with the Ukrainians in your home whether you want a compensation for the reception. For example, they can help pay for the groceries and gas/water/electricity.
• Is there help for the people who need food or clothing can't afford food or clothing?
  Yes, we are in contact with a number of food and clothing banks in Twente. Make an appointment and, upon presentation of the Ukrainian passport, parcels can be collected. At the time of writing, these are in Almelo, Enschede and Haaksbergen.
  There are also private initiatives, such as a clothing bank of donated clothes at Foundation Twente For Ukraine in Enschede.
  We are trying to match supply and demand even further here. Maybe you know people in your network who have clothes left over which might be suitable for the refugees from Ukraine.
  For the latest information about the food and clothing banks, mail help@nutwente.nl

Insurance

• Health insurance
  Care costs are reimbursed by the government at the moment.
• Liability insurance
  This is regulated by the municipality. They are setting that up now
• Insurance from Ukraine
  You should not expect much from accident or liability insurances taken out in Ukraine at the moment. They have other things on their mind.

Help and volunteers

• • Can NuTwente provide assistance for translate?
    We are in the process of setting up a network of interpreters. This could be from Ukrainian or Russian into English or Dutch. In time, we would like to use these interpreters when people visit the host families for the first time, in order to be able to communicate. However, at this moment our network is still too small for this. Therefore, they are available at essential moments, such as conversations with the doctor or the municipality. Please contact sergii.pud@nutwente.nl

• Where can I go as a host family my questions where can I put my questions?
  The NuTwente Foundation has set up a Whatsapp group for host families. Information can be exchanged and questions asked here. This group also includes volunteers from the foundation who can answer questions. In time, the intention is to set up a whatsapp group per municipality or area, so that it is also easy to meet up with other families.
  During the intake you will be asked if you want to join this group. If you have changed your mind and would like to be added, please send an email to olga.nielsen@nutwente.nl

• Where can the Ukrainian People can ask their questions where can they put their questions?
  Stichting NuTwente has also set up a group on Telegram for Ukrainian refugees in the Twente region. Refugees who have not been placed with a host family through us can also join this group. Many practical questions are also answered here. Just like the whatsapp group for host families, the intention is to eventually split it up according to municipality or area, so that it is easier to meet up with each other. Send an email to sergii.pud@nutwente.nl or help@nutwente.nl to be added.
• I cannot become a host family, but I would like to help out as a volunteer!
  You certainly can, we are always looking for volunteers. Where you can help depends on your interests and expertise. There are several working groups that need reinforcement, such as the housing team that holds intake interviews, the website, social media and design team. In addition, we can really use people who have experience in (mental) health care and education.
  
  We are also looking for people who want to organise activities for the host families and their Ukrainian guests. This can be anything, from a football tournament to a nature walk to lessons in Dutch culture. If you have a nice idea, please register via the website.
  Volunteers can register on the website at the link https://nutwente.azurewebsites.net/VrijwilligerAanmelding

Work and school

• Can Ukrainians work directly work?
  Yes, but the employer must apply for a work permit. We find it very important that Ukrainians get rest and rhythm in their lives. However, care must be taken not to work too quickly. People can be traumatised or stressed. It is important to give them peace of mind first and not to arrange everything for them straight away.
• How is the primary and secondary school regulated?
  All children have a right to education. The larger towns and villages in Twente already have international transition classes where children can learn Dutch and eventually move on to regular education. However, the expected number of children is so large that these schools will probably not be able to cope. We are discussing with the municipality how we can solve this. Possible solutions are online education (by means of laptops or chromebooks) via Ukrainian teachers. These teachers may still be teaching in Ukraine or may have emigrated to the Netherlands.
• I live in a rural area or a small village without reception classes, how can children attend the right school?
  We are discussing with the municipalities whether it is possible to arrange transport to the bridge classes.
• How is adult education regulated?
  At the moment there is not much known about that. We are in consultation with the municipalities to arrange it.

Donations:

• I want to donate something donateIs that possible?
  At the moment it is not possible to donate money to NuTwente. This will happen in the future. However, we can use some goods. Do you have goods that you would like to send to Ukraine? Then please contact www.twentevooroekraine.nl
• I want goods to Ukraine
  NuTwente does not send trucks full of goods to Ukraine, but we do work closely with the Twente For Ukraine Foundation (www.twentevooroekraïne.nl). They are specialised in this.
• I have clothing/foodl about suitable for Ukrainians in Twente
  Send an email to help@nutwente.nl with the details, then we will ask around where this can be used. At a later stage we want to provide a platform where supply and demand for goods can be matched.

Ukrainian customs and habits: some major differences

• Some Ukrainians may be suspicious of the government. The older generation grew up under the dictatorship of the Soviet Union, and even after that, the government was not always as reliable as in the Netherlands. It is important to talk about this if, for example, people do not want to register with the municipality.
• Ukrainians do not eat many sandwiches in the Dutch sense of the word. However, they do eat a lot of bread with their hot meals.
• Just like Germans and French, for example, Ukrainians prefer to eat two hot meals a day. They often eat soup.
• In Twente there are a number of supermarkets with Eastern European goods, such as the Polish supermarket Mleczko Delikatesy in Enschede. Turkish/Arab supermarkets also often have a number of shelves with Eastern European goods. You might consider going there together with the Ukrainian guests for groceries they are used to.
• A large part of the people of Ukraine do not speak English. Their mother tongues are Ukrainian and/or Russian. We recommend Google Translate to translate.
• Most Ukrainians cannot cycling. Especially in the big cities, there were no safe bicycle paths. However, they are usually eager to learn.
• With a Ukrainian driving licence, you are allowed to drive in the Netherlands. At least for the first few months. However, pay attention to the insurances, such as a third party insurance in case of damage to the car. It is not yet known how this will be arranged.
• In most Ukrainian households the shoes shoes are taken off at the door and people walk through the house on slippers. slippers.
• Ukrainians are a proud people and therefore sometimes have difficulty in accepting help. This can lead to miscommunication at home or at aid organisations like the food and clothing bank. That is why they prefer to work and become independent as soon as possible.