STA, 18 March 2022 - The government has established a new centre for Ukrainian refugees at Interior Ministry premises on the Debeli Rtič peninsula, which have been transferred to the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants. On Thursday, 46 Ukrainian refugees, half of them children, arrived at the centre.
According to the head of the government office, Katarina Štrukelj, 80-90 refugees could be accommodated at the centre.
In line with Thursday's government decision, the centre will accept only refugees from Ukraine, most of whom are mothers with children.
Food has already been provided to the refugees, while other necessities will be provided in agreement with the Ankaran municipality, which Štrukelj said had shown great willingness to help.
The municipality will also organise the transport of children to school. Services of the community health centre will be available to refugees.
The children will attend classes together with Slovenian children, but it is not clear yet when they will start going to school.
Refugees that request international protection in Slovenia are registered and processed at the Logatec refugee centre and then transferred to other facilities, Štrukelj said.
The number of refugees from Ukraine is expected to continue to increase. Currently, most of the 3,000 refugees that are in Slovenia are in private accommodation, but depending on the needs the government plans to open centres in Jelšane, Velenje and Celje.
The government's decree, adopted last night, also allows for other state-owned facilities such as student dorms and school centres to be turned into refugee centres if necessary.
Barbara Švagelj, Ankaran deputy mayor, said the municipality was providing different types of aid and was in contact with charities. Citizens will also be urged to help, she said.
Police data shows that between 24 February and 16 March, 1,648 requests for temporary protection were filed by Ukrainian citizens.
