In the food bank logistics centre in Prague, Czechia, a remarkable joint initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Czech Federation of Food Banks is currently underway. The objective is to prepare and distribute about 6,000 packages for the most vulnerable refugees who fled the war in Ukraine. To ensure swift delivery to those in need, both volunteers and professionals put in a tremendous effort, including working on weekends. The project lasts for three months, from October to December 2023, and comes with a budget of 279,700 EUR provided by IOM.

"The packages are tailored for families and children, with the expectation of reaching over 1400 individuals," says the Czech Federation of Food Banks president, Aleš Slavíček. Effort was put into purchasing nutrient-rich food such as high-quality canned meat, beans, or lentils. Mr Slavíček proudly reflects on their recent accomplishment, "We are happy that we can contribute to further help people in need. But this aid is something extraordinary. It is support from IOM for Ukrainians who have fled to Czechia for safety from the war," emphasizing that while the Food Bank cooperates with IOM, they also operate separately on nationwide projects that assist thousands of people from Czechia.

Recognizing the financial challenges associated with hygiene sets, especially for women and children, the initiative ensures that basic hygiene aid is readily available upon request. This approach aligns with the fact that up to 80% of the beneficiaries are women and children.

The joint project is centred on providing food support to refugees across IOM´s three regions in Czechia: Ústí nad Labem, Karlovy Vary, and Plzeň. The target beneficiaries include up to 80% of those staying at shared accommodation facilities within social services, churches, and municipal or private hostels. To ensure an inclusive and sustainable impact, beneficiaries are selected through local partner NGOs.

The project was supported by German humanitarian assistance

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For more information please contact: fstowasser@iom.int