Help Ukraine: Accommodation in Prague, people sleeping in gyms
The war in Ukraine has been going on for more than 14 days and according to the International Organization for Migration during that time more than 3 million people have fled their homes. A large part, almost two thirds of the family, go to Poland, some to Slovakia and, of course, to the Czech Republic, ie to Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, where these people often have ties and have the greatest chance of finding a job. But the problem is starting to be with accommodation capacities that are on the verge of exhaustion.
Last week, Mayor Zdeněk Hřib called on all city districts to prepare temporary accommodation capacity for at least one hundred refugees. “We currently have a capacity for 114 peoplewhich we are able to accommodate, but we know that we will need to accommodate another 200 and we simply do not have the capacity, “said Deputy Mayor Petr Hlubuček (STAN).
Field beds in the market
Most neighborhoods are already involved in the calls. Prague 5 has set up a special working group that deals with accommodation capacities for escape as a matter of priority. “The first two equipped flats have already been reported to the Regional Assistance Center for Assistance to Ukraine (KACPU) and are ready to receive accommodation. Other flats do not have to be a basic flat and equipment to enable them to live. These are, for example, beds, tables, chairs, lighting, stoves, cookers or washing machines. Apartments that will accommodate families with very young children, newborns or toddlers, still equipped with a cot and other equipment and essential equipment for the care of small children, “says Prague 5 spokeswoman Lenka Abessi.
Additional accommodation capacity was created in the Smíchov market, which is currently equipped with field beds, sleeping bags and other necessities, such as wi-fi. According to the town hall, up to 50 people should fit here. “Other accommodation options are offered in the Women’s Homes or in the clubhouse of the local association JUNÁK – a Czech scout, which offered the clubhouse for temporary accommodation for refugees,” added Abessi.
Prague 2 cooperates with the church
Capacities are also increasing in Prague 2, in cooperation with the Archdiocesan Charity Prague. In new accommodation more than 40 Ukrainian mothers and grandmothers with children have already found shelter. “This time we managed to equip a new apartment, hygienic and cosmetic needs, basic food or toys and social toys for children in a few days,” the city district said on its Facebook page. They are looking for more accommodation capacity.
In the gym on mats
In Prague 11, they again set aside one of the gyms of the local elementary school Campus, which was transformed into temporary accommodation with a capacity of about 50 beds. Most people stay here for a maximum of a few days and then continue mostly with one of the relatives. A rug was laid in the gym and mats and field beds were prepared for sleeping.
“There are also assistance services for guests, toiletries, food and lunch. There is also a children’s corner and two cots for babies. An interpreter will also be provided. The gym has its own bathroom and separate entrance,“City Hall informed on the web. “I am very glad that we were able to achieve this accommodation within a few hours in order to help Ukrainian citizens who are on the run from the war,” concluded Mayor Jiří Dohnal (Pirates).
The City Hall of Prague 10 accommodated Ukrainians in the Malešice Apartment Building. According to spokesman Jan Hamrník, there is now an information center for refugees, in which there is an aid coordinator with knowledge of landscape. “Refugees are accommodated in areas that were temporarily used as doctors’ surgeries during the reconstruction of the opposite Malešice Polyclinic,” said Petr Beneš (Pirates), Deputy Mayor of Prague 10. According to him, the premises are set aside for Ukrainians until the end of March.
According to Jiří Hannich, a spokesman for the town hall, Prague 6 has a total of 26 municipal flats available for Ukrainians. Housing of a now unused villa owned by Prague is also being considered for accommodation of Ukrainians. According to the spokesperson, about 50 people could be accommodated in it, after possible modifications and equipment of the space.
According to the mayor of Prague 12, Jiří Adamec (Pirates), 60 war refugees live in the building in Písková Street. The building used to house the office of the twelfth district. “We expect another 20 refugees to be accommodated soon.” he added.
Councilor of Prague 9 Jiří Janák (ODS / Svobodní) previously stated that the city district is able to accommodate 200 people. The town hall is preparing a building for the former post office building in Poděbradská Street, where it should be built 28 rooms. Prague 9 would like to start accommodation for refugees in this building, as announced.