GOMEL, 8 April (BelTA) - The office of the International Organization for Migration in Belarus is ready to support the Ukrainian refugees. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Chief of Mission Mahym Orazmuhamedova and Gomel Oblast Governor Ivan Krupko on 8 April, BelTA has learned.
According to Mahym Orazmuhamedova, IOM Belarus is ready to help the citizens of Ukraine, who have arrived in Belarus in connection with the situation in their home country and who are currently in Gomel Oblast. An office in Gomel has already been opened for this purpose. The Gomel Oblast organization of the Belarusian Red Cross will coordinate all interaction issues.
Ivan Krupko noted that almost 10,000 Ukrainian refugees have recently passed through the Belarusian border. “As of today, some 2,900 refugees from Ukraine have arrived in the region, including citizens of Israel, Azerbaijan and Georgia. We provide all kinds of assistance: food and accommodation, medical care, including hemodialysis. We must help these people, because it is a matter of life,” he said.
Help was provided to everyone. 42 people have been placed in hospitals of the region. About 300 people have been accommodated in three sanatoriums and also in the oil workers' hostel in Mozyr. They have been provided with comfortable living conditions, three meals a day. 70 people, including 19 children, have applied for refugee status, additional protection or asylum in Belarus.
The Belarusian Red Cross has opened a charitable account to help the citizens of the neighboring country. Every day enterprises, organizations and Gomel residents transfer money to it. “We met each of them at the border and know everyone's needs. Medical assistance is provided to whoever needs it. It is important for us to concentrate our efforts on making our help targeted,” the governor emphasized.
The Red Cross has also set up three mobile aid stations near the crossing points in different parts of the region. Arriving Ukrainians are provided with hot meals, medical and other necessary assistance.
IOM Belarus has been working in Belarus since 1998. An emergency response department was opened in 2021. The organization actively helped people who temporary stayed at the Bruzgi logistics hub in Grodno Oblast. “We have been established interaction with representatives of the Red Cross. We are ready to make our contribution to help Ukrainian people in Belarus,” Mahym Orazmuhamedova said.
