UNHCR Belarus cash assistance programme

UNHCR office in Belarus is implementing a one-time cash assistance program, available throughout the territory of Belarus. 

Who is Eligible: 

Foreign citizens and stateless people who: 

  • Have applied for refugee status, complementary protection, or asylum in Belarus and are awaiting a decision on their applications. 
  • Have been granted refugee status or complementary protection in Belarus. 

In addition, when considering applications for cash assistance, the following categories will be prioritized: 

  • Older people and couples (women aged 55+, men aged 60+). 
  • Families with three or more dependents. 
  • Families consisting of a single parent (guardian/legal representative) and one or more children. 
  • Families/adults caring for separated or unaccompanied children 
  • Families with members who have disabilities and/or serious/chronic illnesses. 

How & Where to Apply: 

At one of the offices of the Refugee Counselling Service — UNHCR’s partner organization (in Minsk and in all regional centers of Belarus).  

Refugee Counselling Service | Minsk
Phone: +375 (33) 635-21-66 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (17) 377-17-86
Address: Krasnoarmeyskaya str. 22A, office 21, Minsk.; Olshevskogo str. 74, Minsk.

Refugee Counseling Service | Brest
Phone: +375 (33) 633-20-46 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (162) 53-30-16
Address: Brest, Shevchenko Blvd. 4, office 525

Refugee Counseling Service | Vitebsk
Phone: +375 (33) 633-18-97 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (212) 48-07-17
Address: Budennogo str., 11, office 307, Vitebsk.

Refugee Counseling Service | Grodno
Phone: +375 (33) 633-19-94 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (0152) 68-04-14
Address: Grodno, Oktyabrskaya str. 4, office 306.

Refugee Counseling Service | Gomel
Phone: +375 (44) 500-16-78 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (0232) 34-04-24
Address: Internatsionalnaya str. 10A, Gomel, office 703.

Refugee Counseling Service | Mogilev
Phone: +375 (44) 500-49-13 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (222) 73-68-03
Address: Shmidta ave. 80, Mogilev, office 337b

What happens after I apply: 

  •  After you submit your application, UNHCR will review it on an individual basis. 
  •  If you are found to meet the relevant criteria for the programme, you will be contacted. 

Important Notes: 

  1. Each application for cash assistance is reviewed on an individual basis, taking into account the individual circumstances of each person or family. 
  2. The above list of priority criteria is not exhaustive. 
  3. If you have been staying in Belarus for longer than 183 calendar days in a year, the amount of cash received is subject for taxation, unless it is registered as humanitarian assistance in the Department for Humanitarian Activities of the Office of the President of the Republic of Belarus. For additional information you may refer to tax authorities. 

What if I am not selected? 

  • If you are not selected, it may be because you do not meet the eligibility criteria or have already received the same type of assistance from other UN agencies. 
  • However, other forms of aid may be available through UNHCR or other organizations. 

To learn more about current UNHCR assistance, please refer to the contact information provided below. 

UNHCR Representation in Belarus:
Phone: +375 (29) 130-65-90 (calls, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram); +375 (17) 328-69-61
Address: Krasnoarmeiskaya str. 22A, offices 79-80, 220030, Minsk. 

UNHCR Belarus receives individual feedback and response through:  

  1. A complaint box located at the entrance of UNHCR office at Krasnoarmeiskaya str. 22A, 79-80; 
  1. E-mail to UNHCR Protection Unit email address at [email protected]g;; 
  1. Call to the UNHCR on phone number: +375 (29) 333 59 49; +375 (29) 130-65-90 (calls, SMS, Messengers) and +375 (17) 328-69-61 (landline); 
  1. Mail to UNHCR’s postal address at Krasnoarmeiskaya str. 22A, 79-80, 220030, Minsk.