With the assistance of the International assistance headquarters for Ukrainians, headed by Hanna Krysiuk, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Montenegro to Ukraine, Dragica Ponorac, Ukrainians have the opportunity to take refuge in Montenegro.
Legal assistance in this regard is provided by the Legal assistance group of the Headquarters, headed by Olena Kobets, General Director of UkrGazVydobuvannia.
The head of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Jean-Yves Bouchardy, said that all those who fled Ukraine would receive temporary protection, and that Montenegro would maintain an open border regime.
“Under this protection system, people can stay in the country for up to a year and have unhindered access to rights such as the right to education, health care and the right to work,” – said Bouchardy.
As of March 17, between 5,000 and 6,000 people from Ukraine had been evacuated to Montenegro.
“This is one percent of the total population of Montenegro, which is a really big burden for this country, but we still call on Montenegro to keep its borders open. Of course, we are ready to support the Montenegrin government, as well as refugees” – stated Bouchardy.
The Mayor of Belo Pole, Petar Smolovic, commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), especially the head of the Office, Jean-Yves Bouchardy, who arrived in Belo Pole and offered aid.
“Together with the UNHCR, the Red Cross and the competent ministry, we will consider all the needs of those who were forced to leave Ukraine due to hostilities, find refuge solve your problems,” – said Smolovic.
Suad Pilica, director of the Bijela Rada hotel, which is a home to refugees who arrived two days earlier, greeted the refugees and said he would do his best to make them feel as comfortable as possible and that he is ready to accept new volunteers from Ukraine if needed.
