BREST, 25 February (BelTA) - Over 1,200 people from conflict zones applied for asylum in 2015, representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Belarus Jean Yves Bouchardy told BelTA in Brest on 25 February.
“The biggest number of people seeking asylum in Belarus in 2015 were from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan. More than 1,000 asylum applications were received from Ukrainians, 140 from Syrians and 40 from Afghanistan. Of course, there are other countries which are living through armed conflicts – Iraq and Yemen. Last year 36 persons from Iraq and 33 people from Yemen applied for asylum in Belarus,” said Jean Yves Bouchardy.
In his words, the biggest number of applications, about 500, was filed in Minsk. Second went Gomel Oblast where the majority of applicants were Ukrainian nationals. Brest Oblast received the smallest number of applications (90).
Jean Yves Bouchardy is in Brest on a two-day visit. In the Red Cross regional office the UNHCR representative will meet with Ukrainian immigrants to discuss their pressing issues. Jean Yves Bouchardy is planning to visit the temporary accommodation facility for asylum seekers, meet with Consul General of Ukraine in Brest Oleg Mysik.
“I think the situation is good. It is easy for citizens of Ukraine to integrate into the Belarusian society. You share similar culture and language. Many Ukrainians find ways to settle here. The UNHCR, for its part, is making every effort to help, in particular, the most vulnerable families. I hope the refugees are happy in Belarus. It is a wonderful country for life with a lot of potential,” said the diplomat.
