Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the “Office”) provides resident permits and visas with the right of employment registration and issuance as well as from 15 June of the last year also temporary accommodation of Ukrainian civilians in the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers “Mucenieki” (hereinafter referred to as “PMIC Mucenieki”), who then go to another country.
Until the end of year 2022 the Office PMIC Mucenieki has temporary accommodated 2,122 Ukrainian civilians by providing a crucial support — providing lodging, food packages, household and hygiene goods, and also medical services if needed.
A part from the provided support is possible because of the 1 October 2022 EEA and Norwegian Grants initiative, which provides targeted support for overcoming the European refugee crisis in Latvia, including providing practical assistance to Ukrainian civilians. Since the beginning of the initiative until the end of the year 2022, the support has been provided to 490 Ukrainian civilians.
Head of the Office Maira Roze emphasizes: “The Office is grateful for the significant support provided by the interinstitutional cooperation and the chance to implement the EEA and Norwegian Grants initiative, thereby ensuring additional support to Ukrainian civilians. Only working side by side can we achieve the best results and provide Ukrainian civilians with the widest support possible.”
Considering how important it is to provide quick and practical support to Ukrainian civilians, the Norwegian ambassador in Latvia Ine Mareng states: “I admire the fact that the people of Latvia (natural persons and organisations) are so united and selfless, they work by supporting Ukraine and Ukrainian war refugees. I am very pleased by the fact that we have an opportunity to cooperate with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, which provides support to Ukrainian refugees in Latvia by using EEA and Norwegian Grants. Also thanks to Ministry of Finance of Latvia for simplifying the procedures when administering these grants. Already the tenth month, Russia brutally kills Ukrainian civilians, and the continued and unwavering support of all of us to the people of Ukraine is in great need.”
This year the Office will also continue to provide the practical support mentioned above for the Ukrainian civilians in transit, as well as by using the support of EEA and Norwegian Grants funds. Until the end of September this year, PMIC Mucenieki will provide the temporary accommodated Ukrainian civilians with food, hygiene, household, and other goods during their stay. It is also planned to purchase 10 working stations for drawing up personal identification documents for the implementation of the initiative, in order to carry out the drawing up and issuing of the residence permits (eID cards) to Ukranian civilians. The card will allow them to reside in Latvia and to access the healthcare, education, accommodation services, as well as it will grant them with the right of employment.
The additional support for short-term accommodation of Ukrainian civilians for PMIC Mucenieki is being provided for time period from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2023 during the implementation of European Economic Area financial instrument and Norwegian financial instrument period from 2014 until 2021 Bilateral Co-operation Strategic Initiative No. FM2022/68 (EEA/NOFI/DIV) “Targeted support in addressing the European refugee crisis in Latvia, including addressing the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Latvia”.
Personnel Management and Public Relations Department of the
Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs
prese@pmlp.gov.lv, 67219185