Ukraine

Statement of support from CFE and ECFS

Cystic Fibrosis Europe (CFE) and the European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) join voices to condemn the invasion of Ukraine and to call for aggression to cease. We hope for a fast resolution to this crisis without further violence.

We stand united in our support of the Ukrainian people, in particular the CF community. We stand with people with CF and their families in Ukraine, as well as our medical colleagues working to care for people with CF and our scientific research colleagues in the field of CF.

We call for medical and humanitarian organisations to be given unrestricted safe passage to bring aid to those in need. We remind that all patients, including men, women and children with CF, receive special protection under the Geneva Convention, as do the medical personnel caring for them.

We are working together with local organisations to assess and respond to the needs of people with CF in Ukraine and those who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries.

Ukraine – Make a financial donation

This list provides information on CF associations all over Europe and links to the fundraising initiatives they’ve set up. Thank you for your support!

Belgium

Muco For Dutch speakers, click here to donate, click here for French.

Czech Republic

Klub cystické fibrózy – Click here to donate (info in Czech/English)

France

Vaincre la Mucoviscidose Click here to donate (info in French/English)

Germany  

Mukoviszidose e.V. Click here to donate or through Facebook fundraiser (info in English/German)

Atemspende Click here to donate (info in English/German)

Greece

Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association (HCFA) Click here to donate (info in English/Greek)

Ireland

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland Click here to donate (info in English)

Italy

Lega Italiana Fibrosi Cistica Onlus Click here to donate (info in Italian/English)

Netherlands

Nederlandse Cystic Fibrosis Stichting (NCFS) Click here to donate (info in Dutch/English)

Poland

Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Mukowiscydozą Click here to donate (info in English)

MATIO Fundacja Pomocy Rodzinom i Chorym na Mukowiscydozę  Click here to donate (info in Polish/English)

Romania

Romanian CF Association Click here to donate

Slovakia

The Slovenská Asociácia Cystickej Fibrózy or Slovak CF Association helps families with CF arriving to Slovakia from Ukraine. You can support their HELP FOR CF fundraiser by making a donation here: IBAN: SK56 8330 0000 0029 0188 8624

Switzerland

Cystische Fibrose Schweitz Click here to donate (info in German)

Mucoviscidose Suisse Click here to donate (info in French)

Fibrosi Cistica Svizzera Click here to donate (info in Italian)

Donating to EURORDIS-Rare Disease Europe is another excellent way to support CF patient organisations and all rare disease patient organisations addressing this crisis.

Information for people with CF fleeing Ukraine

Countries are listed in alphabetical order. The list is continuously updated as we receive information from CF centres across Europe. If you have any new information to add please contact us.

Ukrainians who wish to enter and stay in a Schengen country (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland), do not need to apply for a visa. It is necessary to present a biometric (electronic) passport, a travel document, a birth certificate or a document that proves your identity, as well as a document that proves your residence in Ukraine before February 24, 2022.

The European Commission has approved the freedom of mobility of Ukrainian people through the States in the Schengen area, so that those who flee the Ukraine conflict, in principle, can settle in the country they consider and stay there regularly for 90 days. Minors traveling with their parents will be able to enter the country with them under the same conditions. NGOs ask that border controls ensure that, if minors travel alone or with other companions, they always do so through legal channels.

The new directive approved by the EU on the protection of displaced persons will automatically allow displaced Ukrainians to reside, work or study in the European Union for one year, extendable up to three, without having to apply for asylum. They can also access the benefits provided in the reception and medical care system. Children under the age of eighteen will also have the right to access education under the same conditions as nationals of the host EU country.

Even if a visa is not required it is very important to register in the country of arrival in order to be fully aware of these benefits and rights.

Austria

On arrival people should contact the regional CF-group of the region they are in. Alternatively, they can contact CF-Clearly Future that will help them directly or redirect them to the regional groups.

CF Hilfe Oberösterreich advises that the Red Cross or Caritas can also help. People will need to register in the village or town of arrival where the request for asylum can start. Medical help is offered immediately without administration.

Belgium

CF patients and their families can contact Muco and anyone from the Families department will be happy to help.

When arriving in the country, patients and their families will have to register at the Registration Centre in Brussels. An appointment can be made in advance to avoid long waiting lines: https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ukraine/registration-center. After registration they will receive an attestation of ‘temporary protection’. This is a special statute that has been activated by the European Union giving particular rights to refugee coming from Ukraine since 24/2/22.

With the attestation of temporary protection, they have to go to the municipality where they are being hosted. There they will receive a A-card granting them a number of rights. At the moment, this A-card will be valid until 4/3/2023, but depending on the situation then, it can be extended.

Holders of an A-card have the right to:

• Work
• Enjoy sick fund protection (doctor visits, medication etc. are reimbursed as they would be for any Belgian citizen).
• An allowance (‘leefloon’ through the so-called OCMW)
• Open a bank account
• Receive allowance for their children (the so-called ‘groeipakket’)
• Access education (so children can go to school)

Additional information can be found here:

• https://info-ukraine.be/en/assistance-belgium
• https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ukraine/temporary-protection
• https://www.agii.be/nieuws/oekraine-verblijfsmogelijkheden-en-rechtspositie-in-belgie (this one is not in English unfortunately)

Czech Republic

If the family contacts Klub cystické fibrózy they will arrange a check-up at the CF centre. The centre has a translator in Ukrainian and can provide patients with basic equipment and medicines.

England

Cystic Fibrosis Trust can provide information and support to those who arrive in the UK and signpost them to other relevant organisations. All Ukrainians will require a visa to enter the UK. Alongside a family visa scheme, the UK Government launched a ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme which will provide people with leave to remain for 3 years. However, in the first phase only people who have already identified a host in the UK are eligible.

Those wanting to welcome Ukrainians with CF into their homes should refer to the information provided here: https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/

Patients can contact the CFTrust helpline where they will receive support to register with a doctor (a GP) and access care via a CF Team in this way.

Call: 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184. Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Send an email to helpline@cysticfibrosis.org.uk

Reach the team on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/cftrust

https://twitter.com/cftrust

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cystic-fibrosis-trust

https://www.instagram.com/cftrustuk/

France 

Vaincre la Mucoviscidose created a free helpline for people with CF from Ukraine arriving in France: 0801 908 900 (accessible from 10 to 19 every day); they can be emailed at urgenceukraine@vaincrelamuco.org

General information concerning refugees from the Ukraine can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior (available in French and Ukrainian):

Foire aux questions – Accueil des réfugiés ukrainiens | Ministère de l’Intérieur (interieur.gouv.fr)

Finland

The Suomen CF-yhdistys ry/ CF Association in Finland advises to refer to a Pediatrician/Pulmonologist at the university hospital in the region of arrival. Alternatively patients can call Exchange at Helsinki University Hospital: +358 9 4711. They need to ask for a CF Consultation Phone at Joint CF Outpatient Clinic.

Germany 

Mukoviszidose e.V. have compiled important information for people seeking help with CF from Ukraine as well as for people in Germany who would like to help people with CF from Ukraine.
Beyond German and English, the texts are also available in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish.

https://www.muko.info/spendenhelfen/ukrainehilfe/ukraine-faqs

Greece

The Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association (HCFA) advises that on arrival, people with CF and their families should contact the Greek Ministry of Migration & Asylum. More information about arrival to Greece and contact details can be found in the following link:  https://migration.gov.gr/en/ukraine/

Ireland

Please find below information on support provided by the Irish Government (visas, accommodation, healthcare, etc): https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/asylum_seekers_and_refugees/the_asylum_process_in_ireland/coming_to_ireland_from_ukraine.html

On arrival, patients and their families can get help with getting somewhere to stay if needed at the reception centre at Dublin Airport. If they are already in Ireland and have nowhere to stay, they can email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie or visit a Ukraine Support Centre. These centres provide information and advice about social welfare, immigration and housing and speak with representatives from organisations including the Citizens Information Service. Information is available in Ukrainian.

Ukraine Support Centres are for the moment in Cork or Dublin:

8 Intreo Centre, Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90

Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62

Italy

Lega Italiana Fibrosi Cistica Onlus is ready to provide assistance to people coming from Ukrainian war zones: https://www.fibrosicistica.it/emergenza-ucraina-sifc-lifc-e-ffc-ricerca-pronti-a-intervenire-per-fornire-assistenza-alle-persone-con-fc-inarrivo-dalle-zone-di-guerra/

The email address below can be used to request assistance: coordinamentoCFCU@gmail.com.

Latvia

Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war are warmly welcomed by the Republic of Latvia and its citizens in these challenging times. They will provide  accommodation, food, and other necessary help.

A hotline for services and support available for Ukraine residents in Riga: +371 27 380 380 (available 24/7)

Full information here: https://ukraine-latvia.com/

Moldova

On arrival, patients seeking assistance can contact ANIFC

Netherlands

On arrival, patients and their families, should get in touch with the Red Cross for housing and general medical aid. They can contact Nederlandse Cystic Fibrosis Stichting (NCFS) to be referred to CF centres in the neighbourhood where they will be living. All care will be reimbursed.

Poland

When patients and their families arrive in Poland, they can contact Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Mukowiscydozą or MATIO Fundacja Pomocy Rodzinom i Chorym na Mukowiscydozę or other organisations within MukoKoalicja:

Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Mukowiscydozą ul. prof. Jana Rudnika 3b, 34-700 Rabka-Zdrój e-mail: poczta@ptwm.org.pl, tel: 18 267 60 60 wew. 342 tel 533 370 757 lub mail mhann@ptwm.org.pl ul. J. Słowackiego 24/4 37-500 Jarosław biuro@muko.help +48 731 602 54

MATIO Fundacja Pomocy Rodzinom i Chorym na Mukowiscydozę siedziba: 30-507 Kraków, ul. Celna 6; biuro: 31-552 Kraków, ul. Bobrowskiego 11 tel. 12 292 31 80, krakow@mukowiscydoza.pl

On March 12, 2022, the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with an armed conflict in the territory (the special act) entered into force with effect from February 24, 2022. The special act grants the right to medical benefits, reimbursement of drugs and the supply of medical devices to citizens of Ukraine who move to Poland due to the aggression of Russia.

Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Mukowiscydozą and MATIO Fundacja Pomocy Rodzinom i Chorym na Mukowiscydozę can assist looking for apartments, arranging transport, medical appointments, procuring everyday products, providing them with medicines and coordinating medical care in CF centres. For those who wish to, they can also help with transfers to Western Europe.

For those who want to host people arriving from Ukraine please contact: mmoranska@ptwm.org.pl or mwyraz@ptwm.org.pl

Portugal

The ANFQ National Association of Cystic Fibrosis advises that, on arrival, patients and their families should contact the embassy or the national refugee platforms. For help with CF centres, please contact the association.

Slovakia

The Slovenská Asociácia Cystickej Fibrózy or Slovak CF Association helps families with CF arriving to Slovakia from Ukraine. The association can help with accommodation, transportation, documents to obtain the status of temporary refugee, communication services, accessing medicines and healthcare in CF centres, responding to basic hygienic and catering needs.

Spain

For help with medication, patients arriving from Ukraine should contact the Federación Española de Fibrosis Quística Spain which will give them the contact details of the association they should refer to.

Sweden

Refugees arriving from the Ukraine to Sweden need to first register their arrival with their local immigration office: migrationsverket. In order to access treatment for Cystic Fibrosis they can then contact one of the four CF centres of the Riksförbundet Cystisk Fibros in Stockholm, Göterborg, Lund or Uppsala. Support groups are set up online for refugees already at the Stockholm CF centre.

Switzerland

On arrival, people with CF from Ukraine and their families should get registered with the authorities for regular support (housing, school, etc) and refer to Cystische Fibrose Schweitz regarding specialized medical treatment and medication.

Turkey

When CF families arrive to Turkey, the Kifder, Turkish Cystic Fibrosis Association is ready and happy to welcome them and do anything they can for their medical wellness, providing medications and emotional support.