A crisis chases another in the room of the Bourse in Strasbourg. The place that previously housed the coronavirus vaccination center, closed just a few days ago, now welcomes refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Bas-Rhin prefecture, in conjunction with the local authorities, has in fact opened the “Departmental reception centre”. A “single gateway”, coordination, “global care”, specifies the prefect of Bas-Rhin Josiane Chevalier, who recalls that “Ukrainian refugees benefit from temporary protection. Protection which gives rise to rights, an allowance of around 500 euros, APL, the right to work, health cover…” This center is the first to be set up in the Grand-Est. Objective, optimize and centralize the reception, help, listen and accelerate their medical care
Obligatory passage for these new arrivals, (more than 130 people on average per day in Strasbourg since last Thursday according to the prefecture), it will allow “to examine their administrative situation, to identify their needs in order to direct them towards places of housing adapted. These are and continue to be identified. »
Collective accommodation is preferred
“Accommodation, preferably collective in order to facilitate the aid of the various stakeholders, is privileged” recalls the mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian. For the time being, “nearly 300 people benefit from it and “as many places are still available but the census continues with the help of the mayors because we do not know the future flows”, adds the prefect who continues: “But our absolute priority remains the search for accommodation and of course financial donations. We are ready and we will adapt to the situation. »
In the vast and comfortable room of the Stock Exchange, six boxes, a medico-psychological emergency cell, volunteers from the Red Cross, SAMU 67, two translators, social workers and, for the accommodation component in particular, the Foyer Our Lady. “A center specifies Jean Barseghian which, according to the needs, the flows, can be adapted or even increase it. “In the meantime, the center opens this Friday and will remain open, as long as necessary, underlines the mayor, every day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. »