How Austria and Austrians are helping Ukrainian refugees
As the number of refugees increases with the ongoing war, Austria has received thousands of people already.
The influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their country is not slowing down. The United Nation's current estimates are that more than 2.5 million people have fled since Russia invaded its neighbour two weeks ago.
Austria has already received thousands of people, and it's hard to keep track, as many continue their journeys to other European countries where they have family members or other connections.
Those who want to stay, though, have been welcomed by the population. A new survey by Peter Hajek Institute showed that 85 per cent of Austrians favour admitting the displaced people, ORF reports.
Some 27,000 private places have been offered accommodation on the Federal Care Agency platform so far. Among the offers, 100 hotels are prepared to host the Ukrainian refugees for free.
READ MORE: How Austria is preparing to accept Ukrainian refugees
The government centres
Austria's government has also set up several offers. In the federal quarters, 3,600 places have already been assigned, but up to 3,200 more could be offered.
Four quarters were specially provided for refugees fleeing Ukraine in Graz-Puntigam, Villach, Ohlsdorf, and Mondsee - they receive a daily average of between 500 and 600 people. Vienna also has an arrival centre set up by Ernst Happel Stadium, where more than 8,500 have received help with emergency care, accommodation and information.
READ MORE: Austria announces free public transport for people fleeing Ukraine
The influx of arrivals at Vienna Central Station has also increased, ÖBB says, and there are always from 200 to 300 refugees on site.
The number fluctuates as people leave the train station for the arrival centre or move on with their journey to other states and countries.
Hotline for refugees
Austria's federal government has also set up a hotline to assist with information in Ukrainian. So far, they have received approximately 12,000 calls.
The questions are mainly about getting access to needed medicine, how to gain entry to the job market, and what can be done if they've arrived with pets but can't stay with the animals in the emergency shelters.
Change to upper limit for Ukrainian earnings
At a federal level, refugees from Ukraine will be allowed to earn up to 485 euros a month, instead of the usual 110 euros.
The decision was announced by the Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) after a conference with the refugee state councillors in Austria. There will also be an increased payment of 60 euros per month for people who are housing refugees.
This means that a total of 180 euros per person is available to pay for private accommodation, broadcaster ORF reports. This extra payment will also be available for anyone housing asylum seekers.
According to Karner, 40,000 people from Ukraine have already been registered so far, and around 7,000 are now available for the job market.
Vienna City Councillor Peter Hacker estimates that 200,000 to 250,000 people from Ukraine could seek shelter in Austria in future.
How you can help
There are several ways to help those affected by the war in Ukraine. For example, you can donate money or essential necessity items, host a displaced person from Ukraine, join demonstrations to show your support, be mindful of the information you share to help prevent fake news from spreading, and assist in the reception logistics of refugees.
You can read more here.
READ MORE: How people in Austria can help Ukraine
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The influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their country is not slowing down. The United Nation's current estimates are that more than 2.5 million people have fled since Russia invaded its neighbour two weeks ago.
Austria has already received thousands of people, and it's hard to keep track, as many continue their journeys to other European countries where they have family members or other connections.
Those who want to stay, though, have been welcomed by the population. A new survey by Peter Hajek Institute showed that 85 per cent of Austrians favour admitting the displaced people, ORF reports.
Some 27,000 private places have been offered accommodation on the Federal Care Agency platform so far. Among the offers, 100 hotels are prepared to host the Ukrainian refugees for free.
READ MORE: How Austria is preparing to accept Ukrainian refugees
The government centres
Austria's government has also set up several offers. In the federal quarters, 3,600 places have already been assigned, but up to 3,200 more could be offered.
Four quarters were specially provided for refugees fleeing Ukraine in Graz-Puntigam, Villach, Ohlsdorf, and Mondsee - they receive a daily average of between 500 and 600 people. Vienna also has an arrival centre set up by Ernst Happel Stadium, where more than 8,500 have received help with emergency care, accommodation and information.
READ MORE: Austria announces free public transport for people fleeing Ukraine
The influx of arrivals at Vienna Central Station has also increased, ÖBB says, and there are always from 200 to 300 refugees on site.
The number fluctuates as people leave the train station for the arrival centre or move on with their journey to other states and countries.
Hotline for refugees
Austria's federal government has also set up a hotline to assist with information in Ukrainian. So far, they have received approximately 12,000 calls.
The questions are mainly about getting access to needed medicine, how to gain entry to the job market, and what can be done if they've arrived with pets but can't stay with the animals in the emergency shelters.
Change to upper limit for Ukrainian earnings
At a federal level, refugees from Ukraine will be allowed to earn up to 485 euros a month, instead of the usual 110 euros.
The decision was announced by the Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) after a conference with the refugee state councillors in Austria. There will also be an increased payment of 60 euros per month for people who are housing refugees.
This means that a total of 180 euros per person is available to pay for private accommodation, broadcaster ORF reports. This extra payment will also be available for anyone housing asylum seekers.
According to Karner, 40,000 people from Ukraine have already been registered so far, and around 7,000 are now available for the job market.
Vienna City Councillor Peter Hacker estimates that 200,000 to 250,000 people from Ukraine could seek shelter in Austria in future.
How you can help
There are several ways to help those affected by the war in Ukraine. For example, you can donate money or essential necessity items, host a displaced person from Ukraine, join demonstrations to show your support, be mindful of the information you share to help prevent fake news from spreading, and assist in the reception logistics of refugees.
You can read more here.
READ MORE: How people in Austria can help Ukraine
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