The Czech Republic faces its ability to accept refugees from Ukraine

Prague March 17 The Czech Republic, which has already reached 27 million people from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is facing its ability to accept refugees, Prime Minister Peter Viala said Thursday. “There are currently 27 million people in the Czech Republic who have fled the war and we must realize that we are within what we can absorb without major problems,” the prime minister told the media. The conservative politician arrived on the eve of Kiev, besieged by Russians, and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, from Poland and Slovenia, and with his counterpart Denis Schmihal (Denis Schmihal). Local authorities estimate that they can accommodate about 215,000 people without major problems, i.e. 2% of the population (10.7 million people). However, these calculations may fall short of the daily flow of trains that bring thousands of refugees. “None of us know how long this bad situation will last in Ukraine and how long we have to flee to save lives,” Viala said today. Before the war, about 160,000 Ukrainians were living in the Czech Republic and joined 180,000 others who have now received humanitarian visas, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said today. At the same time, another 90,000 people are waiting to resolve the deposit process. The Czech Parliament today approved a special assistance of 200 euros per person and a subsidy of 8 euros per night for municipalities and retirement homes. Individuals who accept refugees receive assistance worth 120 euros per person per month. So far, Prague, which has sent military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine worth about 30 million euros in the form of light weapons, mortars, anti-aircraft ammunition and field groups, has agreed to another delivery of weapons this week, but the administration has not specified this type.