Are you supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine?
These resources are for you.
Our information and practical resources can help you address language and communication challenges
– in українська, polski, Română, русский, Magyar, slovenčina, čeština, Deutsch.
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Communicate to be understood as widely as possible
Communicate effectively between languages
How to find, work with, or work as an interpreter or translator in a humanitarian emergency.
Practical tips for community interpreters
Be better prepared for interpreting and effectively facilitate communication.
Guide to humanitarian interpreting and cultural mediation for humanitarians and linguists
Six tips for humanitarians working with interpreters on sensitive topics Developed by CLEAR Global and Oxfam
How to work with interpreters and translators – a guide for organizations, volunteers and other responders
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Check this database of interpreters for language support near you.
Talk to me in my own language: understand and support translators and interpreters in crisis settings.
The most powerful way to help people in a crisis is to provide support and information in their own language.
Translation – Translators convey written messages from one language to another.
Download the guide in English – українська.
Watch the video.
Support professionals – take care of your translators and interpreters!
Download the guide in English – українська.
Watch the video.
Crisis support – professional and volunteer language support
Download the guide in English – українська.
Watch the video.
Interpreting – interpreters convey spoken messages from one language to another.
Download the guide in English – українська.
Watch the video.
Crisis management – plans should always include translation and interpreting support.
Download the guide in English – українська. Watch the video.
Communicate on key humanitarian issues
Know which words to use to communicate about protection, accountability and preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEA) in the Ukraine response. Access reference and training materials in relevant languages.
Multilingual PSEA glossary – in English – українська – polski –Română – русский – Magyar – slovenčina, čeština – Deutsch
Oxfam protection and accountability glossary – in English – українська – polski – Română – русский
Plain-language core principles relating to sexual exploitation and abuse – in English – українська – polski – Română, русский – Magyar – Deutsch
‘No Excuse for Abuse’ introductory video to PSEA for new humanitarian responders and contractors – in English – українська – polski – Română – русский– Magyar – slovenčina – čeština – Deutsch
Know which language to use when
Find out what information is available on the languages people speak to help you plan services in the languages most relevant for users and make sure marginalized language speakers get the information they need.
Ukraine Response Language Use Data Platform
An interactive data platform that combines multiple sources to give responders a complete and up-to-date view of the languages and communication channels used by people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Interactive language map for Ukraine
A visual overview showing where people speak the 20+ languages recorded across Ukraine.
Responders can use this to better understand and support people affected by the crisis.
Use our tools to collect your own data about the language and communication preferences of the people using your services.
Questions for individuals, household and key informant surveys are available pre-formatted for Kobo Toolbox/ODK. Available in čeština, Magyar, Română, русский, slovenčina, українська, Deutsch, polski, and English on the TWB website.
Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine. Millions more are seeking refuge abroad. Help ensure they can get critical information in their language.
Share information with people fleeing the war in Ukraine
Kompas is a multilingual artificial intelligence platform that curates verified, up-to-date information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine in Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian and Russian. This helps people find the answers relevant to them in order to understand their rights, access assistance, and make decisions about what to do next. To support people to find information more easily in a language they understand, responding organizations can:
- Share your own information for people affected by the war through Kompas
- Embed Kompas on your website to support a more user-centered experience
- Discuss using Kompas as a resource for your program teams and hotline operators
To learn more, contact us.
Understand the communication challenges that people fleeing the war in Ukraine face in your country
Explore our storymap to see what language means for people affected by the war in Ukraine, and why this matters for an effective response in Ukraine and neighboring countries
Read the evidence for a language-inclusive response
Communication is a challenge across the response, even in places where service users and service providers speak a shared language.
We spoke to people directly affected by the war, responding organizations, and professional linguists in the three countries hosting most of those who have been forced to flee Ukraine. Read our insights and recommendations for how responders can address language barriers and integrate language support to overcome key challenges.
- Language capacity and gaps in the Ukraine response – summary report in
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- Guesswork and Google Translate – Romania country report in
- Stale information, fresh constraints – Moldova country report in
- Navigating information gaps in four languages – Poland country report in
Understanding gender based violence in Ukraine
Learn about how different communities in Ukraine perceive and talk about gender based violence (GBV). Our latest report, funded by Oxfam and in collaboration with multiple Ukrainian partner organizations, explores harmful beliefs and narratives that perpetuate violence.
Read the full report to gain valuable insights to improve GBV prevention and response efforts. Its is available in three languages: English – українська – русский.
Language use and language identity can be sensitive, and responders need to understand which languages people need or prefer to communicate in.
Read our report on how language use and language identity are changing in Ukraine to better understand these sensitivities and plan more appropriate and effective communication strategies.
Redrawing the language map of Ukraine – report in –
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