Vienna closes the last arrival center for Ukrainian refugees!

Vienna closes the last arrival center for Ukrainian refugees!

The Ukraine arrival center in Vienna-Hietzing, in the 13th district, is about to close. This was recently confirmed by the office of Social City Councilor Peter Hacker (SPÖ). The arrival center, which is run by Volkshilfe, has accommodated more than 200 refugees from Ukraine in the past and has been at its capacity limit for a long time. The Schlossberg district, which is the last arrival center for Ukrainian refugees in Vienna, will be closed at the end of the year. This decision is seen as part of a broader reorientation of assistance to displaced people that has become increasingly intensified in recent months.

There are currently 10,786 people from Ukraine receiving basic care in the federal capital, while there are around 30,000 throughout Austria. The closure of the center follows the announcement that other facilities, such as the comparable facility in Vorarlberg, have already closed. This development makes Vienna the last federal state to have its own arrival center for displaced people from Ukraine. As Vienna.at reports, the closure was announced several times by the Vienna Social Fund, and Interior Minister Karner was also informed about the plans months ago.

As the provider, Volkshilfe Wien, informs, the Schlossberg emergency shelter was an important contact point for Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Austria for the first time. The offer included 24/7 full catering, but without barrier-free access, and on-site registration was only possible at certain times. Further information about the offers and contact options can be found on the website Asylum platform.

The background to the closure

Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, numerous people have fled to Austria in the hope of protection and a new home. Austria has taken in a large number of people seeking protection in a short space of time, but the challenges for the state and society remain enormous. The integration of refugees into the labor market, school and childcare as well as the search for long-term prospects are essential topics that must continue to be discussed. The Ukrainian refugees receive temporary protection status in Austria, which is linked to certain rights and support services. Further aspects of the situation of refugees can be found on the website of Asylum.at be read.

The closure of the last arrival center raises the question of how best to deal with the still large number of Ukrainian displaced people. City Councilor Hacker sees Vienna's role as the federal capital as a responsibility for the Interior Minister to take appropriate measures together with the Federal Care Agency in order to be able to continue to care for the refugees with dignity.