Jieznas’ experience with migrants: help with locals, vaccine disputes and plans to (not) stay

In the middle of the day, at the Jieznas Family Support Center, we met only a few men who settled here after applying for political asylum in Lithuania.

These are Kurds from Iraq.

The speechless men were making lunch, one just lounging in his room and asking him not to take a picture unless he was behind.

At the other end of the corridor live several families who came to Lithuania from the Russian Federation. These are the citizens of this country, who are also waiting for our state to grant them asylum.

In one of these families, a baby was already born in Jiezna. But in the middle of the day, their rooms are empty.

39 places

“It all started very early, before there was this refugee boom. In December 2020, there was an acquisition and the Migration Department is buying a service from us.

We have signed a contract, they are implementing a project and we provide alternative accommodation services for asylum seekers, ”said Meilutė Blekaitienė, deputy director of Social Work at the Center, about the story of almost 40 migrants in Jiezna.

The large building that used to house the orphanage, with a lot of empty space, became the reason to look for what to do here.

We have a family that came to us, the woman was pregnant, now a baby has been born, we were very happy.

“We were looking for activities. The idea we had was to accommodate the people who are most vulnerable here. Perhaps a woman with children, large families. We have a family that came to us, the woman was pregnant, now a baby has been born, we were very That was the idea that conditions here seemed to be better, because there are fewer and more places for migrants.

The representatives of the Department of Migration had come to evaluate these premises, they agreed, it seemed that the most vulnerable groups would be better off here. And since this boom for asylum seekers has started, it’s a little different again. We are being asked to accept more. But we have a number determined by the project: 39 people can live here, ”said M. Blekaitienė.

They say they haven’t seen the conflict

The first migrants moved here in March, they changed a bit: some get asylum, others don’t, appealing the decision.

Seven of those who lived here received asylum, they were transferred to the Rukla Refugee Reception Center, which deals with the social integration of refugees.

When asked if there was any conflict or disagreement with residents, both M.Blekaitienė and the center’s social educator, Romas Joneliūnas, shook their heads.

But they are considering, maybe because these people came to Jieznas much earlier, there is no wave of immigrants illegally flowing to Lithuania as of now.

“We have arrived since April, these families become like yours, you know them, you see them every day, you communicate. We don’t have big problems with them, they seem to be in the mood to integrate, they want to integrate, they accept our culture, we accept them. The only difference is that the absolute majority are Muslims, ”said M. Blekaitienė.

We arrived since April, those families are becoming like yours. We do not have major problems with them, they are also in a position to integrate.

There were several Chechen families from Russia, one of whom was still alive.

Also – Russian with children.

But most of Iraq’s Kurds are here.

The nations do not want cauldron

“It just came to our knowledge then. So it is difficult for them and for us. After all, we are a small city, there are no translators here, they are lacking in all of Lithuania. And the Kurds speak their dialects and often do not communicate. each.

But since our project has already started before, we have a little better conditions, we can also negotiate with the Migration Department according to the premises, what is better to accommodate here ”, said M. Blekaitienė.

Now, as she says, only families are welcome in the center, there are single men, but they have been brought here for a long time.

“We do not have immigrants like we have now. We do not have problems, perhaps we will have them in the future, says one of those responsible for the center. – Those of our people are really behaving normally, although it is difficult to say how sincere they are. We do not decide if they have fled the war or are economic refugees. “

“It is our duty to take care of them, to feed them,” adds R. Joneliūnas.

Buy products

The inhabitants of this center do not receive food that has already been produced, they buy the products they ask for, only the quantity that is given to them for food is limited.

Medications are also provided.

According to the center’s staff, migrants “tend to be treated”: they want access to specialists, tests and procedures.

You may really feel ailments, but the center itself only provides the most needed help.

“It just came to our knowledge then. Maybe you can imagine that the European Union is here, everything is at a high level and everything is free,” commented the center staff.

Such an image is formed that they tend to be treated. Perhaps you imagine that here in the European Union everything is at a high level and everything is free.

Products are usually purchased by employees for the entire population, but according to everyone’s preferences.

It is true that, as can be seen, sometimes those desires do not coincide with possibilities.

“They are prioritizing what is needed now. We do not buy the same for everyone, because some people eat chicken and beef, others do not eat meat at all. When we consider their wishes, it is somehow enough, there are no conflicts. They know how much money is allocated, and they also know the prices well, they go to the stores ”, assured R. Joneliūnas.

All residents are free to leave the center, go for a walk, but they must follow the established rules – you can leave for 72 hours, you only need to be informed where you are going.

If no refund is received after that time, staff will inform the Immigration Department.

“The asylum procedure is then terminated,” center staff said about the consequences for those who did not return on time, acknowledging that there had been such cases.

Communicates, especially Russian speakers.

There were also no conflict situations with the villagers, says R. Joneliūnas: “It all started that there was no such escalation of this problem everywhere. So they joined in silence and silence. “

M.Blekaitienė emphasizes:

“Now that so many people are crossing the border, it is probably different. And those people of ours are benevolent, they also understand the importance of having contact with the campus ”.

Generally, it is more difficult or easier for center staff to communicate with newcomers.

With so many people now crossing the border, there is probably a variety out there. And those people of ours are benevolent.

Those who have come from Russia and are talking to locals who still speak Russian.

Suppose you talk to men fishing near nearby Jieznas Lake.

Especially in the beginning there were a lot of Russian speakers, so the locals got to know them and got used to them.

Therefore, it is not surprising to now meet a Kurd on Jiezno Street.

“There was a Tajik who spoke Russian and Arabic, and there was also a Kurd who spoke not only Kurdish but also Arabic. This has helped us to put the rules at the center of life, now the residents are already transmitting them to each other: what we want, we demand it, what rules are in force, ”said R. Joneliūnas.

M.Blekaitienė did not hide that it was difficult for employees who did not know what kind of people would come here, but they spoke a lot with them:

“Of course, there can be all kinds of people, but we haven’t had any major problems yet. And they try so well to adapt, that they usually accept the need to follow certain rules, there are rules in this building.”

These people, as M.Blekaitienė says, do not hide, there are few here and it is good for them here.

Perhaps this is a reason to avoid conflicts both between them and with the staff of the center, since perhaps he could end up being raised in another place where the conditions would be completely different.

Everyone who lives now says they want to stay in Lithuania.

All migrants living in the center have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.

So far, only the first dose of the vaccine has been received. Some had to persuade longer, others resisted, but finally agreed and were vaccinated.

They have already contributed to the management of Jieznas.

According to local elder Algis Bartusevičius, the migrants themselves volunteered to help when locals tidied up the city, collecting rubbish that was found next to a building in the center.

Center staff say they constantly hear that everyone wants to stay in Lithuania and continue to build their lives here.

“Everyone who lives now says they want to stay in Lithuania. Only the former Tajik repeatedly and repeatedly did not understand why he was held here, because he wants to go to Germany, but he lived there,” said R. Joneliūnas.

However, both R. Joneliūnas and M. Blekaitienė made no secret of their unwillingness to believe every word of the migrants, who are perhaps only speaking to receive asylum.

And then I will lift my wings and disappear into the dream of Germany or some other country.