The Conservatives ask the government to prepare for 100,000 refugees – VG

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– A comprehensive short-term and long-term plan is needed for how we will receive refugees from Ukraine. We think it may be wise for the government to come up with some different scenarios as they have done in Sweden, says Conservative leader Erna Solberg.

– Up to 100,000

She lets her immigration policy spokeswoman Mari Holm Lønseth elaborate on the scenarios:

– For example, a scenario where the situation calms down quickly and there are up to 20,000, one where there are 40,000 and a more extreme one; that there will be up to 100,000 refugees in the next six months.

She says that the government’s plan must show what the different levels will mean for municipalities, reception centers, schools, kindergartens and the health service.

– This is how we can map vulnerabilities and quickly address them.

Lønseth says that they, like everyone else, hope that the war will end as soon as possible, but believes that Norway will have to plan for and prepare the country’s municipalities and reception apparatus for various scenarios.

212,000 likely in Sweden

She points out that Sweden has already done so, with only twice as many: The Swedes’ upper scenario says that 212,000 Ukrainian refugees may come to Sweden, and the head of the Swedish Migration Board says that it is the most likely.

– We have not taken a position on how many refugees Norway can and should receive, but we miss a comprehensive plan that takes into account that this refugee flow is not similar to other refugee flows we have seen in recent years, says Lønseth.

– What should it contain?

– Among other things, to secure enough housing for refugees quickly and ensure access to enough kindergarten and school places.

Here you can read about 13 points The Conservatives believe must be central to a comprehensive plan:

Lønseth says that they receive feedback from many municipalities that it is urgent to get clear signals from national authorities.

– We must ensure that the municipalities are able to provide a roof over their heads, a good health service, meaningful activity such as leisure activities, education and work. Then the municipalities must also be sure that they will be reimbursed for the costs that now come.

– The goal is for them to return

– In the short term, it is about helping people in a desperate situation. Should the plan take into account that most people will stay in Norway when the war is over, or that they will return?

– These are people who need temporary, collective protection until the war is over. We hope it will not be long-lasting, and that means that the offer we give them must be adapted so that they will return to their home country. That must be the goal, says Lønseth.

She adds:

– They must therefore get a faster race to get to work, than the system normally allows. Here we miss that the government is more advanced in the shoes.

She emphasizes that Norway should give Ukrainian refugees a warm welcome to Norway.

Presses Støre

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre must Friday hold a statement on the Ukraine war in the Storting.

– We expect Støre to address this in his statement. We are prepared to quickly process all proposals needed by the Storting to deal with this situation. If the government does not follow up, it will be relevant for us to promote the proposals ourselves, says Lønseth.

Will cater for wave this summer

She says that if there is a big wave, summer is likely.

– Many of those who come will probably come around the summer months. We can not end up in a situation where they are without activity in the summer. Good summer schools and grants for sports and volunteering will be important, says the Conservative Party.

The Prime Minister’s Office has received the statements from the two Conservative leaders, but has not yet had time to respond.

Strengthens capacity

State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Astrid Bergmål (Labor Party), writes in an email to VG that it is good to see that the Conservatives agree with the government that we must dimension our society for a significant number of refugees in the future.

– In recent weeks, the government, agencies and municipalities have prepared Norway for significant arrivals. The government is now rigging our society for the largest influx of refugees we have ever seen, she writes.

According to Bergmål, no one can know for sure how many will come to Norway from Ukraine in the future.

– As of now, the academic estimate is 30,000, but we are of course also working to prepare Norway for figures that are far higher than this.

She emphasizes that the police’s capacity to register refugees has been strengthened. They have also arranged for it to be possible to register in several places in the country.

– The UDI has procured a significant number of reception places and is already in the process of procuring more so that we can receive those who come. The government has also ensured that those who live in private homes during the reception phase can receive money for subsistence.

The Minister of Labor and Social Inclusion works closely with the municipalities on settlement and everything that comes with the need for follow-up of the refugees, she writes.

– The municipalities will be able to receive a record number of refugees in a short time, and more will be able to extend even further if needed. We also work closely and well with volunteers who will play an important role in the future.

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