According to Google, searches about how to help Ukrainian refugees have increased in the United States, in addition to other questions related to the crisis.
Some requests come from people trying to find fundraisers in their neighborhoods. Others focus on events taking place on the other side of the world.
Here’s a look at some of the most frequently asked questions, according to the Google Trends team, and what we know of the answers so far. According to the United Nations, more than 3.4 million refugees have fled Ukraine in less than four weeks. Another 6.5 million were displaced within the country.
Where do most Ukrainian refugees go?
So far, most Ukrainian refugees have gone to Poland. According to UN statistics, there are more than 2 million Ukrainians there. Many Ukrainians also live in Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia and Russia.
Are Ukrainian refugees coming to the US?
Not in the same large numbers as in Europe. At least 690 Ukrainian refugees have been admitted to the United States since October 2021, according to the State Department.
But more Ukrainian refugees could soon be coming to the United States, depending on steps taken by the Biden administration.
Multiple sources have told CNN that the government is discussing ways to help Ukrainian refugees join family members already living in the US by providing special avenues for their admission. Poland’s President has pushed for this; Last week he asked Vice President Kamala Harris to speed up and simplify procedures to allow Ukrainians with family members in the US to come here. The process of resettling US refugees can typically take years.
How can I help Ukrainian refugees?
Food and other supplies are becoming increasingly scarce in Ukraine, and civilians continue to flee the country for safety. Organizations are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help with shelter, food, water and other needs.
Amid the harrowing reports of the tragedy in Ukraine, CNN’s audience has donated more than $6.4 million to humanitarian relief work, according to Public Good, the online fundraising platform partnered with CNN. Find out more about how you can help here.
Can I host a Ukrainian refugee family?
Officials in the UK have announced a plan called Homes for Ukraine that will allow people there to express their interest in hosting Ukrainian refugees. But at this point, the refugee resettlement system in the US does not include sponsorship of individual host families. There are nine refugee resettlement agencies charged with working with the government to help refugees resettle in the United States. Once the US government has approved a refugee for admission, the International Organization for Migration and resettlement agencies generally coordinate their journey, and refugee resettlement agencies help them settle in after arrival.
Can I sponsor a Ukrainian refugee?
Currently, there is no way for Americans to sponsor certain Ukrainian refugees to help them get to the United States. But nonprofits that work with refugees in the United States say there are many opportunities for volunteering and community sponsorship to help refugees from around the world.
Can I help house Ukrainian refugees in the US?
When a large number of Ukrainian refugees end up coming to the United States, finding housing will be a key issue. Already this year, resettlement agencies and refugee advocates have struggled to find affordable housing for many of the tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees brought to the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome.
Late last year, the US government announced the creation of a new “Sponsor Circles” program to support incoming Afghans. So far, there is no such initiative for Ukrainians in the United States. But US officials have said they will launch a new private sponsorship pilot program for refugees this year — an initiative welcomed by stakeholders. Meanwhile, some Americans have proposed their own solutions to help house Ukrainian refugees. Two Harvard students have created a website that aims to connect Ukrainian refugees with hosts around the world and provide them with a safe haven. And several US state governors have agreed to take in Ukrainian refugees.
Can I adopt a Ukrainian orphan refugee?
That’s a question the State Department says it’s heard a lot too. However, the department notes that Ukraine does not allow children to participate in reception programs abroad, which often serve as the first step in the adoption process, and that during times of “exceedingly difficult” it is “exceedingly difficult” to meet the extensive legal requirements for intercountry adoption Crisis. The State Department also says there are other important details to consider:
• It can be “extremely difficult” to determine whether children who appear to be orphans are actually eligible for adoption and immigration under US law in these circumstances.
• Sometimes children are temporarily separated from their parents or other family members during a conflict. Maybe their parents are looking for them.
• After the death of their parents, children are often cared for by other relatives.
• In times of crisis, some children who are not orphans live in orphanages for security reasons.
CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Ryan Bergeron, and Alaa Elassar contributed to this report.