Some support programs expire next month
Millions of Ukrainians fled to the west in late February after Russia launched an offensive against their country. Initially welcomed with open arms by European countries, they are now seeing a decline in support – at least when it comes to the benefits offered by host countries.
European countries are now deciding how much they want to spend on Ukrainian refugees, and some of the free offers offered in the first week are about to expire.
No more free rides From next month, Deutsche Welle, a German railway company, will no longer offer free tickets to anyone with a Ukrainian passport. In March, the railways offered free transit for Ukrainian passport holders traveling to the German exclusive cities of Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich. It is issued for free “Helpcruine Tickets” Those who ask for them. Although newcomers will still be given free rides, free tickets will be canceled. The German government has said that needy Ukrainians will receive social benefits starting in June, so their mobility will not be so limited at the end of the program as they will be able to buy public € 9 ($ 9.65) monthly tickets for public transport. Germany is one of the few European countries that has decided to block free tickets for Ukrainians. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland have made similar decisions. Poland will keep some train rides free for vulnerable Ukrainians, such as elderly men, women and people with disabilities.
Hotel evacuation Popular holiday destinations are planning to displace thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have been accommodated in beach hotels. In Spain, as the tourist season continues, rooms currently occupied by refugees will have to be vacated to accommodate paid visitors, some of whom made bookings months ago. About 12,000 people have been evicted, according to the newspaper El Pais. According to Radio Bulgaria, the situation is no different in Bulgaria, where from next month only three hotels at the popular Sunny Beach resort will still accommodate Ukrainian refugees. By the end of May, about 38,000 people had been evacuated from their temporary homes.
Welfare cut Some host countries are also reducing the amount of cash assistance they provide to refugees. In Bulgaria, the daily allowance will drop from about 22 22 per person to $ 8 next month. The Czech Republic and Ukrainians will not receive any question-and-answer benefits of $ 217 per month for five months. The government will deduct the cost of free accommodation from the first month’s payment and demand proof of need from the recipients the following month. Czech authorities are encouraging Ukrainians to take jobs or risk losing benefits.
Benefit-triggered crime In some cases, the assistance that Ukrainian refugees receive in European countries exposes them to local crime. A senior Bulgarian police officer, Stanimir Stanev, revealed in a report to the country’s parliament this week that Ukrainian cars were being targeted by thieves interested in their license plates. Since the government has decided not to levy street tolls and parking fees from refugees, some miscreants are taking advantage of this by replacing their plates with stolen Ukrainian plates, Stanev said.