South Russian regions still to improve system for admitting refugees from Ukraine, rights defenders assert

Vasily Golubev, Governor of the Rostov Region, has appealed to the Russian President, Prime Minister and top-ranking officials of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies (MfE) for help in connection with the deteriorated situation with Ukrainian refugees. Human rights defenders, who are working in the region, have noted that, despite the fact that the authorities overstate figures on the number of refugees; the admission system is still to be improved.

As of June 18, 48 municipalities of the Rostov Region admitted 7294 refugees from Ukraine, including 2850 children. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by an official from the regional government.

Residents of Ukraine who arrive in the Rostov Region are provided with all articles of prime necessity, including providing of medical care. However, the regional reserves for rendering humanitarian assistance and accommodation of refugees have been already exhausted. This was reported by Governor Vasily Golubev.

The Governor has noted that the problem can be solved by deployment in the territory of the Rostov Region of additional temporary accommodation centres (TACs) for 2000 refugees. Vladimir Puchkov, Russian Minister for Emergencies, has confirmed the MfE is ready to provide such assistance to the Rostov Region. This was announced by the press service of the Governor of the Rostov Region.

Advocate Anna Serdyukova, a member of the "Civic Assistance", believes that "even if 100,000 refugees arrive in Russia," it should not become a problem. The advocate has mentioned Lebanon as an example: during the war, the state admitted up to one million refugees from Syria.

According to Anatoly Kharkovsky, Ombudsman for the Rostov Region, the Ombudsman's Office recorded no human rights violations during placement of refugees in camps and crossing of the Russian-Ukrainian border.

See earlier reports: "Ingushetia sends more than 40 tons of humanitarian aid to residents of Lugansk, Donetsk and refugees from Ukraine", "OSCE Secretary General visits Ukrainian refugee camp in Rostov Region", "About 50 people take part in action of "Mothers of Beslan" in support of population of South-Eastern Ukraine".