In Austria, the reception of Ukrainian refugees is being organised. While many are only passing through the country to reach another destination, a growing number of them are deciding to stay. Report in a reception center in Vienna.
With our correspondent in Vienna, isaure hiace
In the second Viennese district, a huge gymnasium has been converted into a reception centre. Here, Ukrainian refugees can eat and drink, get medical and psychological support and all the information they need. In recent days, more and more of them are arriving, notes Saskia Schwaiger, spokesperson for the city of Vienna: “ Every day between 1,000 and 1,500 people spend a few hours here and we see these numbers rising sharply. We are preparing to need many more places in the face of this increase, whether for those in transit or for those who stay. »
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Soon 200,000 refugees?
In this center as in the rest of the country, the majority of Ukrainians seek to reach another destination, but more and more decide to stay in Austria. Nearly 7,000 have made this choice to date, like Anfissa, a 19-year-old young woman. ” I have no friends or family in Austria, I’m just with my mother, she tells us. Here, there are new rules, new people and another language than mine, so it’s a bit stressful. But I got help and a lot of information, so I’ll be fine. I am really grateful for all this help and support and I hope I can stay in Austria, I would like to study here. »
Experts expect Austria to host up to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees.
