Among the first refugees to come to Norway:
Outside the national reception center, Lena Larsen is waiting for her family.
The Ukrainian family of four has traveled from western Ukraine through Poland by bus. 36 hours later, they are in Råde and waiting for a residence permit as some of the first Ukrainians to arrive in Norway.
– It is very safe to know that they are here, says Larsen.
Among the first to come
She herself is originally Ukrainian, but lives in Lyngdal.
– I drove from Lyngdal yesterday. I have not had much to talk to them after the long journey and that is why I am here now, she says.
While she waits anxiously, she tells TV 2 that she knows that the family is fine according to the conditions.
– They get food and clothes and everything they need.
The family is among the first 20 Ukrainians who have fled and arrived in Norway over the weekend. Everyone who comes to Norway must visit the national reception center at Råde first. The asylum application is processed there, before the road continues to other receptions around the country.
Be lucky
After two hours, the family comes out, with tears in their eyes and hands on each other. It is Larsen’s mother, sister and two aunts.
– It is very reassuring and reassuring to know that they have come all the way here, says Larsen.
– They have been lucky to get a ride on the bus, she adds.
Larsen says that several refugees have had to walk with small children through the cold and snow to cross borders.
Larsen’s brother is still in Ukraine with all men between the ages of 18-60 who are not allowed to travel.
– I would also like to have him here, but it’s still calm where he is.
Fled to times
The family’s oldest child and Larsen’s niece, Nasdya, can speak a little Norwegian and tells us that this is the second time the family has fled.
– We lived in Luhansk before but fled to western Ukraine from the war in 2014, and now we are fleeing again. Not because we do not like Ukraine, but because of the situation, says Nasdya.
Now she comes Lyngdal will be the last stop.
– We do not know for sure what is happening now, but we just want to be closer to Aunt Lena, says Nasdya.
– I know a little Norwegian, but the rest of the family can not so we like to be with Norwegian family. It is difficult to be alone here, she adds.
So far, they are happy at the reception.
– We have nice rooms with bunk beds. We have a lot of food, very good food. Coffee and tea. We are fine here, she says.
Free seats
It is currently unknown how many refugees Norway will receive. The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) is now planning for a number of different scenarios.
– Right now we have vacancies to receive those who come now. We have taken into account the uncertainty that has existed for a long time in Ukraine, and we have had extra space due to the corona pandemic, says Borghild Fløtre, director of Reception and return at the UDI.
Now the UDI is trying to envisage the type of situations that may arise. Be it whether refugees come sporadically one by one, or through planned and organized withdrawals through the EU system.
– Are you planning for a lot of people to come?
– We must take this into account as well, in different steps. It is clear that it will be demanding if there are a lot of people coming very abruptly, says Fløtre.
As the situation is today, Norway has 20 asylum reception centers and on paper about 1000 vacancies. If the number of refugees becomes high, new reception centers must be set up, says Fløtre.
– We need benevolent host municipalities for reception and we need good suppliers that we have already linked to through agreements. The suppliers need building stock and employees, so we are very happy with all the commitment that is now showing in the municipalities, she says.
That Norway will pick up refugees even in Ukraine and the surrounding areas, Fløtre does not rule out that there may be a discussion.
Can accommodate more
Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl told TV 2 today that they are following the refugee situation in Europe, but that they currently do not see an influx of Ukrainian refugees to Norway in large numbers.
The government plans to co-operate with other European countries.
– The situation is still confusing, and we must contribute in this acute phase where the big problems are now. At the same time, we are reviewing our own preparedness in this area.
She is aware that Norway will help to take responsibility for the many who are fleeing Europe now.
– We must work with the countries around us to find out how to do this concretely.
She says that they have not now sent out any orders to the municipalities in Norway, but she has registered that several municipalities have gone out and said that they want to help.