Bouchard is satisfied with the level of cooperation with Belarusian authorities and organizations on refugee issues
"I am satisfied with the level of cooperation with the authorities and public organizations of Belarus, who work with our beneficiaries. This is also confirmed by the fact that during today's meeting, there were few questions left for the people. The absence of acute problems is ensured by the daily work carried out by all interested organizations," Jean-Yves Bouchardie emphasized.
The meeting, organized by the Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, was attended by members of more than ten families currently residing in the regional center as refugees. These are mainly former residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The issues they raised were overwhelmingly related to obtaining medical care and housing.
"Such meetings are very important, as people have the opportunity to directly ask pressing questions. At the same time, their number is gradually decreasing. For example, in Vitebsk today, the issue of employment, which arises from time to time, was not raised. This indicates that the lives of these people here, in Belarus, have stabilized," noted the UNHCR representative in Belarus.
Jean-Yves Bouchardie also emphasized the importance of the amendments made to the migration legislation, which allowed residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions to receive free medical care.