update on solidarity in Toulouse to help refugees and residents of Ukraine
Since the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, nearly six million Ukrainians have fled their country. As of April 27, France was hosting 70,000 refugees. We take stock in Toulouse with Nathalie Chataigner, member of Free Ukraine Association Toulouse.
Do you know how many Ukrainian refugees are currently being hosted in Toulouse?
The last figure, to my knowledge, is more than 2000 according to the prefecture. Not to mention the children. But it must be said that many have returned home to Ukraine?
It’s complicated, no, where did they get back?
There are many people who have returned to kyiv, to Irpin where we begin to rebuild the city. And for those who are still welcomed by us, they are mainly with host families, individuals who have volunteered or with family, friends.
Did you organize a solidarity concert at the Metronum this Thursday evening with Ukrainian stars?
It went really well. We had a full house, with nearly 600 people and it really warms our hearts. Artists also supplied from kyiv and Lviv. On organize another solidarity concert on May 19 at the music factory with French artists.
Still need donations?
Yes, material, medical. At a collection point still open at the Parc des expositions on the Ile du Ramier in Toulouse, Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On an open food drives. We need dry, energy bars, foods that are easy to store. We sent our seventh truck humanitarian aid. We also have a collection point at Paul Sabatier University open for refugees.
Do you know if the one-stop shop is set up by the prefecture to issue residence permits to Ukrainians who are with us, guiding them works well?
Absolutely and a lot of volunteers help on the spot to translate, to help the displaced people in the formalities.
After spending several years in Ukraine, you yourself returned two years ago with your son to France. Do you plan to return to the country one day?
Yes. I think that after the war, the country will really need to rebuild itself and I think of returning there. Really, we have hope that it will end, that everything will be fine, that we will win this war. Mariupol suffered a lot of bombardments again as well as the cities which were occupied. And we don’t know what’s going on there, we’re very, very worried. We have little information of the people who are blocked andt misinformation is at its peak.