Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Lithuania has been actively helping Ukrainians - both those who remained in their country and those who came here - more than 70 thousand war refugees, including 24 thousand children under 18 years of age. Eitvydas Bingelis, Head of International Organization for Migration Vilnius office (IOM Lithuania), says that ”We as individuals might not always understand and appreciate our efforts and impact, but when I am communicating with colleagues from other countries, I hear a lot of praise  about the unity of Lithuanian residents and their willingness to help. We feel the desire of Ukrainians to thank the people of Lithuania and inspire them not to stop." 

The heroes of the campaign are Ukrainians 

IOM Lithuania encourages the country's residents to stay focused and continue helping Ukrainians in this extremely difficult time, and for this purpose presents the campaign "One more good deed closer to the peace". Advent is the best time for miracles and good actions. It coincided that the people of Ukraine are also very much in need of good will and assistance now. 

"Right now, when we are preparing for the holidays, Ukraine's energy infrastructure continues to be blown up. The heating system, electricity, and water supply are disrupted. It is very real that in order to survive the winter, even more people will leave Ukraine, especially the vulnerable. Some of them might choose to come to Lithuania, and they will need our support", –  says E. Bingelis.

IOM Lithuania has created a campaign video, which aims to show how important the help of the people of Lithuania to the Ukrainians was and is and what it means to the recipient – for a concrete person. 

"Every donation, support or assistance  is very important for every individual, who really appreciates it and is grateful  to their benefactors. After all, everything what is donated, every single help makes the household and living conditions of Ukrainians easier and even saves lives. We receive a lot of gratitude from Ukrainians for the support. Therefore, the first part of the slogan is "thank you, Lithuania, for helping". And since help is still needed, we say "let's be one more good deed closer to peace." We believe that the support, focus and unity of all of us will help bring peace closer", says Eglė Staškūnaitė, Head of the Migrant Assistance and Crisis Management Unit of IOM Lithuania. 

Aliona and her son Artem, who arrived in Lithuania from Ukraine in April, became the heroes of the IOM Lithuania campaign video. They did not choose Lithuania by chance, her husband worked here before the war. In a foreign country, Aliona works remotely with her sister, who came with her, in a Ukrainian company, where they had been working while living in their homeland. 

Although a number of family members came to Lithuania together, Aliona still longs for her previous life in Ukraine. The woman says that, despite her patriotism and devotion to her country, a significant number of her countryman are also planning to go abroad in the near future after the recent intense attacks in Ukraine. 

"Without electricity, without heating in winter, it's very difficult, especially for parents with small children", says Aliona. 

The woman keeps in touch with her compatriots in Lithuania - everyone is united by a common experience and efforts to adapt in a new country: "Lithuanians are very benevolent, compassionate people. They understand very well what is happening in Ukraine and try to help as much as they can. I am very grateful for that". 

Like many other Ukrainians, Aliona is waiting for the end of the war and hopes to return to the Motherland when there is an opportunity. Artem, who became the hero of the video, also dreams of peace and returning home. He turns to St. Nicholas asking not only for gifts for himself, but also for the greatest gift we all need - peace. 

In addition, the head of IOM Lithuania reveals that during the campaign we will invite people to join the initiative through social networks, when residents should simply share their post inviting them to help or share about the good work done, adding the keyword #darvienągerądarbą - thus inspiring others to contribute. 

"Each person can contribute as they see fit, maybe it's volunteering, maybe hosting Ukrainians in their home, maybe donating a few euros. It is clear that the Lithuanians have already helped a lot, but the situation, unfortunately, remains tense, so good works are still needed", says E. Bingelis. Support ranges from housing to English courses. 

Encouraging everyone to help in an acceptable way and not to become indifferent, IOM Lithuania itself organizes various activities for Ukrainians in Lithuania: it has established an emotional help line, organizes free English language courses, remote seminars where they answer topical questions related to social services or employment in Lithuania, and also allocates multipurpose cash assistance payments. After receiving funds, Ukrainian families in Lithuania will be able to cover their most basic needs. 

In addition, the organization also helps to solve the issue of short-term accommodation - together with the accommodation platform Airbnb, it offers the option of short-term accommodation (from 7 to 30 days) while looking for permanent housing. The organization is also contributing to the installation of State collective accommodation centers in preparation for new refugee’s wave from Ukraine in the coming winter. 

The International Organization for Migration, a member of the United Nations system, is the largest international intergovernmental organization leading in the field of migration. It has been operating in Lithuania since 1998.