The Call for Utilizing Ukrainian Rest Centers for Asylum Seekers
The Ukrainian government has been urged to repurpose its vacant rest centers to accommodate asylum seekers who have been left without shelter in the country. The call came from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as it warned that more than 80% of Ukraine’s estimated 10,000 asylum seekers had been left homeless and destitute.
According to a new report published by UNHCR, the situation has escalated dramatically in recent years, with people fleeing conflict in eastern Ukraine seeking refuge in other parts of the country. These people are often unable to find shelter, work or medical care. Many live in appalling conditions, including abandoned buildings, construction sites and railway stations. Some are forced to sleep in the open, exposed to the elements.
The UNHCR representative in Ukraine, Pablo Mateu, has called for action to provide more support and protection for asylum seekers. He has urged the Ukrainian government to identify suitable buildings that can be repurposed as temporary accommodation for those in urgent need.
In particular, he has suggested that the numerous rest centers that lie empty throughout the country could be quickly converted to provide shelter and other basic services. These centers are generally located in rural areas and were originally built to provide affordable vacation accommodation for Ukrainian workers. However, many have fallen into disrepair and are now unused.
Mateu contends that these facilities could be easily renovated to provide basic shelter and other vital services for asylum seekers, including access to medical care, education, and legal support. He has called on the Ukrainian government to act quickly to avert a humanitarian crisis.
With thousands of people already struggling to survive without shelter, the UNHCR warns that the situation is likely to worsen unless urgent steps are taken. The agency is calling on the international community to support Ukraine in its efforts to address the needs of asylum seekers and refugees.
In response, there have been calls for the Ukrainian authorities to take a more proactive approach to this issue. Some have suggested that the international community, including the EU and member states, could provide financial and technical support to help Ukraine repurpose its rest centers and other vacant buildings.
Others have suggested that the government should work more closely with local civil society organizations and NGOs to identify suitable buildings and provide support to asylum seekers. They argue that this approach would not only help to address the immediate needs of those affected, but also contribute to the development of a sustainable and effective asylum system in Ukraine.
At a time when countries around the world are grappling with the challenges of managing large-scale displacement and forced migration, it is critical that Ukraine takes action to support those in need of protection. By repurposing its rest centers and other unused buildings to provide temporary shelter, the country can send a message of solidarity and compassion to those affected and set a positive example for others to follow.
In conclusion, it is time for the Ukrainian government to act decisively to address the urgent needs of asylum seekers in the country. The international community can and should play a role in supporting these efforts, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that those in need of protection receive the support and assistance they require. By repurposing its vacant rest centers and providing basic services to asylum seekers, Ukraine can take a significant step towards meeting its obligations under international law and helping those who have been forced to flee their homes.
