Sweden collects money to vaccinate incoming refugees – EURACTIV.com
The Swedish government will allocate 21 million kronor (over 2 million euros) to each region to vaccinate refugees from Ukraine against covid-19, Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren announced at a press conference on Thursday.
“It is important that we work hard to ensure that those who come from Ukraine are also vaccinated. It is about protecting oneself but also about strengthening Sweden “, said Hallengren.
Sweden has sent medical equipment and technical equipment to Ukraine, she added. Medicines will also be sent at the request of the Ukrainian authorities.
Hallengren also urged everyone who received Ukrainian refugees to help them contact the Swedish Migration Board to regulate their situation.
At the press conference, Olivia Wigzell, Director General of the National Board of Health and Welfare, also announced that Sweden has prepared to receive those in need of care who arrive via medical evacuation.
However, the authorities’ handling of the Ukrainian refugee crisis has aroused criticism from some prominent opposition figures.
Anna König Jerlmyr, Stockholm’s mayor and member of the opposition right-wing party Moderaterna, expressed her concern in an interview with SvD, where she said that the Swedish Migration Board seems to be completely unprepared for the situation.
“In Sweden, we do not seem to be able to handle more than 30 cases per day. It is a pity and people get a very bad start in our country “, said King Jerlmyr.
Her comments come at a time when the Swedish Migration Agency is overwhelmed, with more than 1,700 applications registered on Wednesday alone (March 16).
King Jerlmyr added that there is no long-term plan for the reception of the refugees, or how they will be included in Sweden’s labor market.