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There has not been such a large movement of refugees in Europe since the end of the Second World War. The need is huge, as is the compassion and solidarity of the Swiss citizens. Just not the same everywhere: Cantons such as Schwyz and Zug are generous, while Lucerne is not.
A grandfather with his grandchildren on the run. According to the UN, more than 1.5 million people have already fled Ukraine.
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Migration experts assume that the number of refugees will increase to ten million.
20min/Simona Ritter/Helena Müller
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The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is worsening every day. The cantons are showing solidarity and are issuing emergency aid.
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While the surrounding cantons draw on unlimited resources, the canton of Lucerne is stingy. SP Canton Councilor Anja Meier therefore calls for an immediate increase in aid.
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The Lucerne Finance Directorate defends itself once morest the allegations that considerable expenditure is already being made.
In Europe these days the greatest humanitarian catastrophe since World War II. According to the UN, around 1.5 million people from Ukraine are already on the run. Migration experts now go from up to ten million refugees. Money remains the most efficient form of assistance. It can be transferred quickly and easily converted into things that are really needed on site.
The cantons have now reacted to the war in Europe and acquitted emergency aid. The canton of Lucerne also has announced on Tuesday, he will donate 120,000 francs to organizations such as Caritas or the Swiss Red Cross. The funds are intended to help people who are fleeing because of the war. The canton of Lucerne wants to “help you in this major crisis,” said Finance Director Reto Wyss (middle) in the statement.
Lucerne spends just 28 centimes per inhabitant
An amount, however, that is set far too low, says SP cantonal councilor Anja Meier. “We had hoped in advance that this amount would be higher. Especially in view of the 400,000 Swiss francs in tax money that the canton recently paid for the New barracks for the Swiss Guard in Rome spoke.” The benefit of these two donations would be in no proportion. And: “Compared to other cantons, this welcome but modest amount seems questionable as a sign of solidarity,” says Meier.
If you compare the expenses of the surrounding cantons, Lucerne is actually in a bad position: while Schwyz (300,000 CHF) or Zug (250,000 CHF) spend a good two francs per inhabitant, Lucerne (120,000 CHF ) just 28 centimes per person. In Uri (50,000 francs) it is still 1.3 francs and in Graubünden (200,000 francs) one franc per inhabitant. The leaders here are Obwalden (80,000) with 2.7 francs and Glarus with 3.3 francs per person. Aargau is one of them.
“The canton sends a signal of stinginess”
“The canton wants to send a sign of solidarity, but at the same time sends a signal of stinginess towards people who urgently need our support,” says Canton Councilor Meier. She therefore calls for the amount to be increased to at least one franc per Lucerne resident as soon as possible.
“I’m not sure if the government is aware of the seriousness of the humanitarian situation on site and the immense wave of solidarity in the canton of Lucerne. In short: the financial priorities of the Canton of Lucerne are – once once more – extremely questionable»
The finance department of the canton defends itself once morest the allegations. Financial director Reto Wyss cannot be reached personally via the communication office: “The CHF 120,000 is an immediate measure. At the moment we don’t know how much money is actually needed to help the people on site in a targeted manner,” says Yasmin Kunz, Head of Communications at the Finance Department.
It is important for classification that the essential support of the war-affected population does not come in the form of contributions to charitable organizations, but through the planning and organization of the reception of war refugees seeking protection in the canton of Lucerne. “Depending on the scenario, it’s regarding the admission, accommodation, health care, schooling and maintenance of hundreds or even thousands of people,” says Kunz. The corresponding work is currently in progress, considerable resources have been invested and – depending on the scenario – would still have to be invested.
Cantonal Councilor Meier tells us that the SP will closely monitor the government’s further actions and, depending on developments, reserve the right to make parliamentary initiatives. “So that the canton’s support for the people in Ukraine actually does justice to the humanitarian crisis. Events of such magnitude also demand a corresponding signal from a Lucerne government.”
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