“We have to go back to the Kosovo war, at the end of the 1990s, to find such large flows of refugees”, slips Jean Stellittano. The secretary general of the Secours populaire des Alpes-Maritimes is witness to this: since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, “between 10 and 12 families” come knocking at the door of this single association “every day” . The department is indeed one of those which, in France, welcome the most Ukrainians since February 24, according to the prefecture. As of May 4, it had already issued 5,662 temporary residence permits. Has an overwhelming majority of women and children, unlike previous waves of refugees.
According to the estimate of the State services, they would represent 50% of the people received in the Alpes-Maritimes. Minors would be 30%. And men 20% therefore. Demographic characteristics that had to be taken into account to organize this temporary protection granted by France.
Single women with “vulnerable” children
According to the latest count on Thursday from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 5.4 million Ukrainians have fled their country, of which only 10% are men, those aged 18 to 60. years, likely to be mobilized, not having the right to leave. “The share of single women and children taken in is much higher than in other waves of refugees, confirms Jean Stellittano. And it is a particularly vulnerable public”. The risk ? May the wave of solidarity that followed the outbreak of the war also carry with it certain bad intentions.
“Special attention has been paid by the administration to the citizen accommodation that has been offered, further advances the head of Secours populaire. On the voluntary work of single men in particular. For the moment, there would be nothing to report from this point of view. I know that some families have changed accommodation along the way, but not for serious problems. »
Organized outings, meetings… The important thing is above all to socialize these people quickly, “even if most of them want to return to Ukraine as soon as possible”. So that they are not isolated, he adds.
Schools involved for children
The Nice academy is the one that supports the largest number of Ukrainian children in France. At the end of April, there were more than 1,200 in establishments, in particular elementary, in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, specifies the rectorate. “At the college and high school levels, many prefer to take distance learning courses,” said a spokesperson. In any case, unprecedented support which led to the creation of new UPE2A classes. In these Educational Units for incoming allophone students, the teachers note “high levels for math in particular” and “an ability to adapt quickly”, we still say on the side of the rectorate.
Among adults, the desire to learn French is also significant. “We give a lot of lessons, people are in high demand,” confirms Christine Jomat, from Secours Catholique in Cannes. In Nice too, the town hall has set up special classes. Since March 21, they have been frequented by 200 refugees, the overwhelming majority of whom are women, on average every day, according to the municipality.
“Authorized” work for adults “in demand”
The Ministry of Labor specifies on its website: the temporary protection that France grants to displaced persons from Ukraine “allows them in particular to exercise a professional activity”. “The difference is there with migrants from other countries. If you hire an undocumented person, you can be prosecuted,” recalls another member of the association. “The demand from refugees from Ukraine to work is significant, but it is also linked to learning French”, continues Christine Jomat in Cannes, where profiles are often redirected towards the hotel trades in particular.
On April 7, the city of Nice organized “a day to facilitate the employment of refugees in sectors that are struggling to recruit”. Including that, again, of tourism. This meeting mobilized 600 people and generated more than 200 job offers.