A total of around 1,500 people were looked following at the arrival center in Leopoldstadt over the weekend, as a spokeswoman for the crisis team reported on Monday. The number of emergency shelters for those affected who need a place to sleep, at least in the short term, has already had to be increased. People who want to take in refugees can now also contact a central office.
The city commissioned the Diakonie to mediate here. “Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the city of Vienna has been working flat out to be able to take in refugees safely and securely. In addition to emergency quarters where people can stay for a short time, there is a need for housing for refugees who will be staying in Vienna for a longer period of time. Private housing donations are therefore urgently needed in order to be able to cover the demand,” explained Susanne Winkler, the head of the crisis team at the Vienna Social Fund, in a broadcast on Monday.
“Willingness to help is enormous”
Many have already got involved here in the past few days. According to the FSW, 200 reports in which apartments or rooms are offered have already been received: “The willingness of the Viennese to help is enormous, and we have noticed that a large number of people are also willing to donate or make living space available,” says FSW winker The partner of the initiative is the Diakonie refugee service.
“We arrange living space and take care of everything from the inspection to the handover of the living space between you and the people who have fled,” Birgit Koller from the Diakonie explained the procedure. Viennese can relax on the Homepage of the helpers of Vienna and also by email to wohnraumspende-ukraine@diakonie.at with offers.
“StartWien”: Own website in Ukrainian
City Councilor for Integration and Education Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) also met with representatives of Ukrainian organizations on Monday to discuss the concerns of refugees. Further measures would now be derived from this, he said followingwards. There will be a separate website for those affected, which will be managed by “StartWien” (a project of the Department for Integration and Diversity, note).
The portal bundles initial important information for people who have fled. You will find information in Ukrainian and German regarding the arrival center, medical care, accommodation, public transport and residence rights. This website is to be gradually expanded over the next few weeks and will in future also contain information on the world of work, education, health and housing.
First Ukrainian children in classes
Even Information regarding the education system in Vienna and necessary first steps are provided in German and Ukrainian. According to Wiederkehr, the education department has already started to assign the first Ukrainian children to classes via the school flow control.
In addition, the website and the Education Directorate are looking for native speakers of Ukrainian. “These are additional important support measures and I will continue to be in a solution-oriented dialogue. We are in a challenging time, which we can only master together as a society,” said Wiederkehr.
Theater in der Josefstadt also helps
The Theater in der Josefstadt also makes a contribution by providing theater apartments for refugees in cooperation with Volkshilfe. Specifically, three women and two children were admitted.
“It is important for me to emphasize that we do this regardless of the country of origin, because humanity does not ask regarding passports and nationalities,” Josefstadt director Herbert Föttinger was quoted as saying in a statement.
Contact point in the Austria Center under construction
Last week, Vienna set up a contact point for refugees in a sports hall near the Happel Stadium. It is open around the clock and is used for initial care and advice. Those who have arrived are provided with food and drinks as well as hygiene items – such as personal hygiene products or diapers. Toys and stuffed animals are also available. Emergency sleeping places are also arranged there. According to the crisis team, their capacity has now been increased to 1,000 people in view of the great need.
Anyone who decides to stay in Vienna is asked to come to the Austria Center (ACV). Further consultations and clarifications then take place there. They also offer the option of arranging longer-term quarters. The position at the Austria Center is currently being set up, although initial consultations have already taken place. The center in the ACV is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
