From bunker to bunker is not the solution

In the coming days, weeks and months, thousands of Ukrainians will be seeking protection in the six cantons of Central Switzerland from the bombing in their homeland. This help must now be provided in an unbureaucratic way – especially for people who want to help.

Every day, we see images of horror that it was thought we would never see again in Europe. Millions of people are fleeing from Putin's bombs in Ukraine, in order to survive.

Thousands of them are coming to the cantons of Central Switzerland. In Lucerne alone, there will be 4,600 refugees by June. But there aren’t enough places in public accommodation. Unfortunately, this means that the city of Lucerne, for example, has created 140 places in an underground civil protection facility, i.e. in a bunker!

For the refugees themselves, this means that they are escaping from a bunker only to end up in another one. That cannot be the solution.

After all, it’s only expected that they will need to be accommodated there for a very short time. Other cantons of the region are also looking for suitable accommodation. There is still enough available capacity In Uri, for example; but with more than 80 refugees expected according to the government, larger objects must be found.

A great place for the kids!
Sleep in a domitory with 20 other people.
Photos: Dominik Wunderli

So additional places are needed. These could be in hotels, in properties belonging to local churches, or in vacant buildings. And of course in private apartments. It’s first necessary to ensure that companies, institutions or private individuals that want to help can easily find understandable information on how to proceed.

All the cantons of Central Switzerland are acting in an exemplary manner here, with corresponding documents being placed in prominent places on their websites.

But the motto for the authorities must be as follows: If you want to help, you have to be able to do so unbureaucratically. And right away.

Added by the editor: We’ve also heard local politicians saying that allowing refugees to stay in private accommodation is opening the door to human trafficking and forced prostitution. And that the police records of the people offering places will first have to be examined (by politicians??!!). That’s a great way to encourage people who are (were?) generously ready to open their homes to strangers who need help. It certainly leaves a sour backtaste. Remember the tale of the Good Samaritan and the reaction of the pharisees.