The mayor of Paris expects to welcome more and more Ukrainian refugees

Of the more than one and a half million Ukrainians who have fled their country since the start of the Russian attack on February 24, 4,000 have arrived in France, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior. How many in Ile-de-France? It is difficult to estimate, but what is certain is what this number is increasing every day and will continue to increase. This opinion, formulated by Anne Hidalgo, the participants in the meeting organized by the town hall of Paris this Monday in the premises of the factory of solidarity share it.

The reception center opened at the end of last week in the 18th arrondissement of the capital welcomes between 200 and 250 people every day. But soon, its capacity will be insufficient. The mayor of Paris therefore plans to open two gymnasiums, one near the Gare du Nord, the other near the Gare de Lyon, which will serve as a reception and orientation centre, or even accommodation if the need arises. “They will open this week“said Anne Hidalgo, without specifying the name of the gymnasiums in question. The school in rue de Verneuil, currently empty, should also be used to welcome Ukrainian refugees and especially children. It could act as an “airlock” while waiting for them to be ready to join a “classic” class, listening times with psychologists could for example be offered there. The canteen and extracurricular activities would be offered to them, a wish to this effect will be put to the vote at the next Paris Council.

Waiting for, the French Red Cross will maintain the reception points it has set up in the Est, Nord and Lyon stations. Among the refugees, there are mainly women and children, explains Rodrigo Garcia, director of operations for the association in Paris: “Some have ties here and know where to go. Others need direction. In any case, these are people who are exhausted, the road is long and for many it is not over. Some are only in transit in Paris“. The Iberian Peninsula, home to a large Ukrainian community, is the final destination for a number of Ukrainians fleeing the bombs.