Baku activists tell about problems of Ukrainian refugees

Most of the Ukrainians who arrived in Azerbaijan in connection with hostilities in their homeland are accommodated with their relatives and friends, but they need foodstuffs and psychological support, activists of Azerbaijani NGOs inform.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that by April 9 and since the start of the special operation in Ukraine, a total of 6163 citizens of Ukraine had arrived in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Migration Service has reported.

Lydia Shestak-Alieva, an entrepreneur, is a Ukrainian and has been living in Baku for many years. She said that from the first day of hostilities in Ukraine, she gathered volunteers in order to help forced migrants. "About 70% of those who arrive from Ukraine have friends and relatives in Azerbaijan; there are many wives and children of Azerbaijanis living in Ukraine among them. It's easier with them – they have where to live. The rest have come without having any acquaintances here," Lydia has noted.

"We are looking for residences for them in hostels and city apartments. We are trying to socialize them so that they can quickly enter a normal life. We also solve medical issues: treatment, doctors' consultations and receipt of free medicines. We also provide psychological assistance," Ms Shestak-Alieva has added.

She has also noted referring to the legislation that forced migrants from Ukraine cannot get a job in Azerbaijan. "We offer those who arrived help us – to make souvenirs for sale to the aid fund for migrants and to sort out the humanitarian aid. Some Ukrainians stay in Azerbaijan; others move from here to other countries. While they are here, they receive food packages from us. There are cases when residents of Azerbaijan take care over people from Ukraine," Lydia said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 14, 2022 at 00:15 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.