According to the Lithuanian Migration Department, almost 14,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Lithuania since the start of the war. As available housing for Ukrainian refugees, supplied by volunteers, in Lithuania’s main cities is running out, municipalities are calling on the central government to consider compensation mechanisms. Transport operators have also approached the government about covering free transportation for Ukrainians.
Strong Together (Stiprūs Kartu), an organization that is helping Ukrainian refugees find accommodation in Lithuania, currently has enough housing for 10,000 people. The number of people needing to move in is currently half that. But the reserve is dwindling quickly, volunteers warn, and they advise that people willing to offer accommodation to refugees should consider hosting them for at least three months. Municipal authorities say that the issue of compensation may soon be raised, if hosts are to be expected to accommodate more refugees and for longer periods of time.
Some bus companies are also providing free transportation to Ukrainian citizens – all they have to do is present a passport. The Lithuanian Passenger Transport Association is asking the government to consider compensations.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė says the most important thing now is to help people settle in, and then the mechanisms and support will start to work. Ukrainians can soon start earning their own money – both for housing and transport.
There are also Ukrainians from abroad currently accommodated in hotels in Lithuania. Some hope to go back to Ukraine as soon as possible to reunite with their relatives and join the fight against Russian aggression. Others want to stay in Lithuania, or go to Poland.
Collection of donations for Ukrainians affected by the Russian military invasion started in Lithuania’s major cities on March 13. The Lithuanian Red Cross did not expect so many people to turn up with donations.
People in Lithuania have already donated almost 2 million euros to Blue/Yellow, a non-governmental organization supporting the Ukrainian army. According to Director Jonas Ohman, the NGO keeps on receiving new donations. The money will be used to supply Ukrainian troops with fuel and transport. “Soldiers are asking for 10 tons of diesel per month to be able to fight. We are buying SUVs, medical equipment, medication kits. We are now looking for electronics with Ukrainian intelligence,” Ohman said.
Lithuania’s Red Cross is also collecting donations for war refugees from Ukraine. It has already collected 400,000 euros as of March 11 in cooperation with other NGOs in Lithuania. Collection was planned to continue until March 15, but two days before that, the Red Cross said it will stop accepting donations after Lithuanians filled 50 trucks with the necessary items in one day.
The ministry of social security and labour and the Lithuanian Red Cross asked for blankets, pillows, bedding, sleeping bags, towels, warm clothes, and shoes suitable for the winter season.
On March 14, the Lithuanian government approved medical assistance to Ukraine worth about 4 million euros. The support will come from the state reserve and the health ministry reserve. It will include medication, face masks, surgical kits, bandages, surgery gowns, various kits to stop bleeding and treat bone fractures, as well as burn wounds. The assistance is being prepared in response to Ukraine’s requests, Lithuanian Health Minister Arūnas Dulkys said last week.
The transport ministry is organizing the delivery of this shipment to Ukraine.
Ministers also discussed additional assistance in the form of weaponry, but specific capabilities were not disclosed due to security reasons. Previously, Lithuania sent Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition to Ukraine.
As Ukrainians resist Russia’s invasion, Lithuanians are donating vehicles that could be used in difficult conditions. The Blue/Yellow organization supporting the Ukrainian armed forces and civilians says it has already collected around 70 vehicles to be sent to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Journalists’ Car Club is also organizing collection of vehicles. One truck, with a capacity of 7-8 cars, has already left for Ukraine, while others are undergoing maintenance and will be sent shortly. Dina Sergijenko, a member of the Lithuanian Journalists’ Car Club, said that the car collection campaign was prompted by close contact with colleagues from Ukraine, who identified a serious shortage of vehicles suitable for off-road situations. The car collection campaign is challenging because it is often easier for people to donate several hundred euros than to give up their cars, according to Sergijenko. The car club is currently receiving calls from businesses, hunters, and others, who are ready to donate their vehicles. The message has been shared with colleagues in Finland.
Canadians are encouraged to donate to the Canadian Red Cross or the Canada Ukraine Foundation.
