Everywhere, solidarity is organized, to allow the flight of Ukrainian refugees to France, after the start of the conflict against Russia. Collections are organized in town halls, stores or via individuals. Municipalities are also trying to organize themselves. In Mayenne, the prefecture launched on Tuesday March 1, 2022 a census of local initiatives to welcome refugees. Large municipalities respond, but also smaller ones, such as Javron-les-Chapelles, 1,300 inhabitants, in the north of the department.
The town hall proposes for Ukrainian refugees a communal studio, 40m², in a residential area of small pavilions. Recent, dating back about five years, the accommodation is currently empty. Normally, it must accommodate visiting families of the elderly living in the neighborhood.
A living room open to a brand new fully equipped kitchen, a bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom, all adapted for people with reduced mobility. The comfort is a little basic but can offer a welcome roof. “It works right awaydetails the mayor, Didier Ledauphin. When we watch television, the news, the thought we all have is ‘poor people’. At the city council, we all agreed to offer this accommodation, for this type of immigration, which is war immigration.”
– Theophile Pedrola
A news welcomed in the neighborhood. “It’s logical, even, explains Johnny, who has lived here for a year. The big cities do it, why not us. We would be happy if that happened to us.”
The mayor goes even further, and thinks of thepossible integration of these refugees : “We don’t know who could come because we have two places in this accommodation, we don’t know how long they would stay, if they would be women, because I think the men are stuck in the country. We would have to organize ourselves, organize their mobility, find them a job eventually. The elected official thinks of several companies present in the territory, some of which are struggling to recruit, for the sake of integration into the life of the municipality of these refugees.
For the moment, the municipality is not sure of welcoming Ukrainians, but awaits a possible return from the prefecture or associations.