Approximately EUR 30 million is needed to adjust accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, according to information provided to the government by Latvian Ministry of the Interior.
When looking at additional accommodation options, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development has collected information from municipalities about buildings available within their territory. The buildings available may house up to 6 500 people. The total investment amount needed to restore and adjust those buildings is approximately EUR 30 million, the ministry notes.
Ten Latvian municipalities had not provided relevant information to the government last week.
According to available information, the buildings in question can be repaired and adjusted within one and a half years.
For example, the dormitory available in Ventspils County can be prepared within 30 days and can offer rooms to 60 people. The dormitory in Valmiera County can be prepared by October 2023.
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741 apartments, 11 dormitories, four student dormitories, 14 schools, two boarding schools, and six apartment homes owned by municipalities are eyed as potential places of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. Other options include a rehabilitation centre, sanatorium, tuberculosis hospital, and Ozolmuiža Manor.
For example, to adjust apartments for approximately 1 100 people in Riga, funding of EUR 13.4 million is needed.
Another EUR 2.5 million is needed to restore and adjust the dormitories of Ogre Forest Technical Facility.
Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, a total of 21 248 Ukrainian civilians have been registered in Latvia.
15 963 Ukrainian refugees have been provided with residence permits with employment rights since the start of the war. 9 231 people have requested residence permits from municipal administrations through Civil Protection Commission.
Latvian Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva admitted after a government meeting on 12 April that the number of refugees in need of temporary asylum is not on a rise.
If the war continues and Russia succeeds in conquering more territories, Latvia will have to think about providing more space for refugees. The option of providing tents with heating is also on the table.
In spite of the aforementioned, the minister said the government should start thinking about providing aid to the refugees that have decided to stay in Latvia for more than three months.
At the same time, the ministry notes that Ukrainian residents who have biometric passports and do not require social aid or accommodation can remain in Latvia for up to 90 days a year without informing state authorities.
Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, millions of people have been forced to leave their homes and their country.
Latvian ministry requests 30 million euros to adjust accommodation for Ukrainian refugees
