A Red Cross crisis center has opened in Vitebsk

The complex geopolitical situation has recently forced many to leave their native lands and move to the relatively peaceful Belarus. In particular, over the past ten months of the current year, more than 350 people from Ukraine (including about 90 children) have arrived in the Vitebsk region, who have applied for refugee status, additional protection, or asylum in our country. Some initially stay with relatives or friends. However, not everyone has this opportunity, and foreign citizens who find themselves in Belarus often need temporary housing. Now, a roof over their heads can be provided at the crisis center on Lazo Street. It can accommodate up to 20 forced migrants simultaneously. In case of urgent need, one of the rooms can be re-equipped to create an additional five beds. The refugee center is ready to provide shelter for up to two months – while issues with document processing, employment, and accommodation are being resolved. In practice, as noted by Red Cross staff, all this can be done much faster here.

A building with an area of over 100 sq.m. has been leased to the regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross by the Vitebsk City Executive Committee. After renovation and equipping the premises with everything necessary, the center has become not only a cozy and safe dwelling for refugees but also a place that will facilitate their socio-psychological rehabilitation and adaptation to society. After all, in addition to three comfortable rooms, there is also a kitchen, children's play areas, a room for relaxation and psychological relief, individual and group meetings with a psychologist, and for conducting surveys and questionnaires. Furthermore, as explained by Galina Zhelanova, Chairperson of the regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross, the Committee for Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee, within the framework of a social order, allocates a social worker who will be at the center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will assist refugees in resolving emerging issues.

The opening of the facility was attended by Vyacheslav Durnov, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Dmitry Shevtsov, Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross, representatives of a number of international structures, as well as those enterprises and organizations of the region that helped with the repair and equipping of the crisis center. Many words of gratitude were expressed to everyone who joined this noble cause and whose contribution made it possible to complete the work in the shortest possible time.

As Dmitry Shevtsov said, this is the fourth such facility in our republic, and today it is truly the best in the country.

Vyacheslav Durnov recalled that working with forced migrants is not something new. In 2014, there was the first wave of Ukrainian refugees, and now there is the second. And it is very important to be able to offer a shoulder to those who have been uprooted.

— This is a real contribution of the Belarusian Red Cross to the problems of the migration crisis, — noted Vyacheslav Durnov, speaking about the significance of the opened center. — The priority of our state is care for people, regardless of nationality and religion. Many are seeking help today, and we must provide that help.

"Vitebskiye Vesti"