The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers, which the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, with the support of the International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ-EFJ) opened in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi, were visited by 196 journalists during 50 days of their work. Most of them represent regional media (78% of appeals) and regions such as Donetsk region, including Mariupol, Kherson region, Kyiv region, and Kyiv.
Among the most actual needs of journalists are financial support, the need for safety equipment and first aid kits, the need to purchase or rent technical equipment, job search, or a place to work. There are also requests for training and education.
The Journalists’ Solidarity Centers respond to requests from the media workers and provide the necessary support. Thus, 67 journalists received safety equipment and first aid kits, 64 media workers received financial support, and 46 journalists were provided with technical equipment.
The Centers also help with job search and provide the opportunity to work in the office with access to technical equipment and the Internet.
Thanks to the support of the Centers, three media resumed their work. Some colleagues were also provided with clothes, household items, food, etc.
“With the support of the International and European Federation of Journalists, we managed to open the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers. The centers have office space with workplaces where journalists can communicate and work. Activists of the Union moderate their work, help colleagues who relocated to these regions, solve urgent problems and provide help to them. We invite journalists who have been forced to leave dangerous regions to contact our centers. Because it is not only an opportunity to receive financial or humanitarian aid, it is also communication with colleagues and establishing contacts. We make every effort to ensure that every journalist stays in the profession” – said Sergiy Tomilenko, President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.
He also emphasized that the Centers have already held several training events, in particular, trainings on medical care, round tables, and meetings in a professional circle.
This project was made possible by the support of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and in partnership with the Independent Media Union of Ukraine (IMTUU). The centers are open to all journalists operating in Ukraine.
You can contact the Journalists’ Solidarity Centers at the following addresses:
Ivano-Frankivsk: Sichovykh Striltsiv St., 25, office 5; tel .: +38066 507 1024.
Lviv: Solomiya Krushelnytska St., 5 (2nd floor); tel .: +38098 996 1125
Chernivtsi: Nezalezhnosti Ave., 96 (6th floor); tel .: +38068 286 37 06
Also, all evacuated journalists can fill out a questionnaire on actual needs via the link: https://bit.ly/3JcQFhK
