Medium and long-term solutions for Ukrainian refugees have to be found in two weeks - PM

RIGA - After this week's decision to prolong the period in which Ukrainian refugees are provided with free food and accommodation by 30 days, medium and long-term solutions for the provision of further support to the refugees have to be found in two weeks' time, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said while meeting with leaders of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LPS).

The prime minister's spokesman Sandris Sabajevs told LETA that during the meeting representatives of local governments informed him on the situation with providing housing and food to the refugees, the necessity to improve coordination between state institutions and local authorities, as well as municipalities' capacity to admit more refugees. 

Karins met with LPS chairman Gintu Kaminski, LPS vice chairmen Andris Ravins (Greens/Farmers) and Vents Armands Krauklis (Vidzeme Party). This week, Karins discussed the situation with the reception of Ukrainian refugees also with representatives of nongovernmental organizations. 

As reported, the Saeima today passed in the final reading amendments to the law on support for Ukrainian civilians, stating that Ukrainian war refugees who have arrived in Latvia will be provided with free meals and accommodation for 30 more days.

The law was today published in the official gazette Latvijas Vestnesis and will come into effect on Friday.