Estonian Refugee Council Reached Over 69,000 People Last Year

  • 2025-01-31

In 2024, the Estonian Refugee Council operated in Ukraine, Estonia, Armenia, Georgia, Jordan, and Lebanon, supporting more than 69,000 people affected by crises with urgent humanitarian aid and programmes aimed at long-term recovery.

“Year after year, we see new crisis hotspots emerging alongside prolonged conflicts. Unfortunately, last year was no exception, and the number of people affected by crises continued to rise globally. The Estonian Refugee Council remains committed to ensuring that no one is left without assistance in times of crisis and emergency. We like to say that a refugee is an ordinary person in an extraordinary situation. Our goal is to make that extraordinary situation as short-lived and dignified as possible,” said Eero Janson, Director of the Estonian Refugee Council.

The Estonian Refugee Council's largest presence is in Ukraine, where it supports people affected by war in frontline and hard-to-reach areas. In 2024, the organisation provided multi-purpose cash assistance to nearly 39,000 people in Ukraine to cover essential needs. Over the year, winter survival support was given to more than 14,000 people, covering aid provided at both the beginning and end of the year. Additionally, nearly 3,900 people received support for independent livelihoods, over 1,600 livestock farmers were assisted with winter survival support, and more than 360 women were helped to start or develop their micro-businesses.

In Estonia, the organisation supported people affected by crises in adapting to their new environment and assisted local communities in welcoming newcomers. Last year, ERC conducted adaptation training for over 2,600 people, provided counselling to more than 1,100 individuals, engaged over 2,600 people in community activities, and conducted 800 protection monitoring interviews. Through various entrepreneurship and labour market programmes, the organisation supported refugees in achieving financial independence. Additionally, the MindSpring programme was implemented to enhance the mental well-being of refugees.

In Armenia, the Estonian Refugee Council provided multi-purpose cash assistance to nearly 400 people. It also launched an environmentally friendly agricultural project, helping three schools in the Tavush region implement Estonian-developed water- and energy-saving agricultural solutions. Moreover, a women's livelihood programme was initiated to support women in starting their own businesses and creating sustainable sources of income.

In April, the Estonian Refugee Council opened a local office in Tbilisi, Georgia. In Georgia, the organisation supported over 500 Ukrainian refugees with winter survival assistance. Additionally, it facilitated the long-term independence of Ukrainian refugees by helping them start or continue their businesses. Community advisory boards continued their work, strengthening local civil society and amplifying the voices of refugees and internally displaced persons.

In Lebanon, the organisation responded to the humanitarian crisis by providing cash assistance for emergency accommodation to over 200 families, benefiting approximately 1,000 people. In Jordan, the focus was on supporting vulnerable households, primarily women-led families, in achieving financial independence.

In 2024, the activities of the Estonian Refugee Council were supported by the European Union, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) through the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development, and others.

Read more about the Estonian Refugee Council's 2024 activities on the organisation’s website.

The Estonian Refugee Council advocates for the rights and well-being of people affected by humanitarian crises in Estonia and beyond. Established in 2000 and certified by the European Union, the organisation provides humanitarian aid in crisis areas and works to restore the social and economic well-being of refugees.