Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 11 September (BelTA) – The simplification of the employment procedure for Ukrainian migrants contributes to their faster adaptation and integration into the Belarusian society. The statement was made by Jean-Yves Bouchardy, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Belarus, in Vitebsk on 11 September, BelTA has learned.

Jean-Yves Bouchardy arrived in Vitebsk together with a delegation of representatives of the embassies, which are accredited in Belarus. Talking to mass media after the official meeting with representatives of the Vitebsk Oblast administration, the UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Belarus remarked that work with migrants, in particular, the refugee status assignment procedure, is well-established in Belarus. Forced migrants have access to educational and medical services.

“Due to the rising number of citizens coming from Ukraine the country has to face a larger number of challenges,” noted the UNHCR Representative. “The adoption of the special presidential decree is, no doubt, a good step that helps faster adaptation of the Ukrainian citizens, who have come here. In particular, it simplifies employment”.

During the meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Oleg Matskevich, top officials of the Labor, Employment, and Social Protection Committee, representatives of the migration service, and the oblast branch of the Belarusian Red Cross Society the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Belarus remarked that good long-term cooperation had been established between the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and Vitebsk Oblast. “Vitebsk is the first region of Belarus where a temporary shelter for refugees has been created. Two international technical aid projects financed by the European Commission are being successfully implemented here. One is aimed at the local integration of refugees while the other one takes care of the identification of refugees among migrants and takes care of their protection,” said the diplomat. He spoke in positive terms about the efforts of the Labor, Employment, and Social Protection Committee in this area, mentioned the importance of teaching the local language to the migrants. The language is taught at premises of the state university named after Masherov.

Jean-Yves Bouchardy said that this week they have received information regarding the positive decision on the so-called Syrian project. The project envisages the resettlement and accommodation of refugees from Syria in Belarus. “The development of the project began in 2013. It is supposed to enable more effective integration of refugees from Syria in Belarus. There are plans to allocate $500,000 for the project. Syrian families will be accommodated in Gomel Oblast but there are also plans to finance Vitebsk. About $80,000 will be allocated for the sake of repairing the temporary accommodation center,” noted the diplomat.

The delegation of representatives of the embassies, which are accredited in Belarus, and the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Belarus will stay in Vitebsk Oblast for two days. On 12 September the diplomats intend to visit the enterprises OAO Vitebskkhlebprom and Krasnyi Oktyabr, which have been financed to create jobs for migrants. Members of the delegation will be made familiar with the status of refugees and those seeking protection in Belarus, the practices that government and non-government organizations use to render various kinds of aid to these people.