Government approves new refugee accommodation plan in Latvia

Take note – story published 1 year ago

At an emergency meeting on Friday, April 29, the government supported a new Ukrainian refugee aid plan, which provides for the reception of around 40,000 Ukrainian civilians in Latvia, including those who have arrived so far.

A total of €116.28 million has been set aside for various aid measures, including the provision of up to €300 per month for Latvian households who provide shelter for Ukrainian war refugees. 

The plan prepared by the Ministry of Interior and approved by the Government provides support for the provision of accommodation for persons who need it. The accommodation is planned for up to 90 days (in priority order):

  • directing Ukrainians to host households on a voluntary basis (including paying compensation to households at €100 for the first person and €50 for each additional person, a total of not more than €300 per month for housing, at the request of the household concerned);
  • entering into rental agreements with individuals (natural and legal persons) on the lease of residential facilities to Ukrainians by imposing rentals not exceeding EUR 400 per month for housing (including utility payments);
  • accommodation in municipal or tourist hotels and covering accommodation costs not exceeding EUR 15 per day for a person.

Minister for the Interior Marija Golubeva said at a press briefing following the government meeting that more information on the above-mentioned aid, including the application arrangements, will come after May 3, when the government is scheduled to accept the relevant changes to Ukraine's humanitarian aid law.

The plan also includes providing food for Ukrainian civilians for up to 30 days. The costs of catering or food products will be covered at their actual level, which does not exceed EUR 10 per person per day, with the exception of persons housed in host households.

The plan provides for the possibility for Ukrainians to receive the guaranteed minimum income of €109 for the first person and €76 for each future person in the household. There is also a one-off allowance of €272 for adults and €190 for each child.

Free Latvian language learning is still planned for at least 120 hours for Ukrainian civilians in all regions of Latvia.

The plan provides for preventive measures in the areas of national security, border safety, prevention of trafficking, public order and security, and protection of the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian civilians

The government accepted the first plan to accommodate 10,000 Ukrainian refugees.  The estimated number of Ukrainian civilians arriving in Latvia has been exceeded and a new plan of measures is needed to support Ukrainian civilian populations in Latvia, explained Interior Ministry.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important