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At the time, Raseiniai officials were already buying plates, kettles for the newcomers and even turning on the heat so that Afghans would not freeze. Dividing the amount allocated to them by Lithuania, each Afghan would cost almost 3,500 euros. The TV3 news was clarified about the purposes for which this money will be spent and what benefits they will receive until they find work.
In the afternoon, the last 26 Afghans, former aides to Lithuanian soldiers and their families, disembark at Vilnius airport. This is the fourth such flight. This time there are only a few children. According to the army, the strongest and least vulnerable Afghans remained on the last trip.
“You can definitely see the fatigue in your eyes, but as much as you had to communicate with them, they are happy to have arrived in Lithuania, some even speak a little Lithuanian,” says army representative Andrius Dilda.
A total of 176 Afghans fleeing the Taliban (34 families) arrived in Lithuania and applied for refugee status.
“82 children, including 9 babies. 45 women, including 7 pregnant women. Such are the people whose lives were in danger ”, explains the Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas.
A total of 10 soldiers went to Kabul, most of them elite members of the Aitvaras special operations squad. Lithuania used “kites”, which had completed many missions and were highly respected by international partners, when there was nowhere to retreat; there was a threat that the country simply could not save former Taliban-occupied Kabul and possibly leave it dead.
“Perhaps this is the first and only operation in which the Lithuanian soldiers evacuated civilians from the region in crisis. (…) The essential and main part of the operation has been completed, it remains for our soldiers and our evacuation team to return. to Lithuania, ”says Mindaugas Steponavičius, Chief of Defense Staff.
The soldiers should return tomorrow. The Minister of National Defense reports that everyone has successfully left Afghanistan.
It is true that such an effort would not have been necessary if Lithuania had managed to transport the interpreters before the Taliban occupied Kabul. The translators submitted the applications in mid-June. The Minister maintains that migration problems in Lithuania are being addressed slowly, and the services continue to conduct surveys on whether asylum seekers are not involved in terrorists, even when the translators are already in Lithuania.
“I did not anticipate it, because you could not foresee everything and the intelligence could see the movements that were taking place in the Afghan army,” says A. Anušauskas.
And those who came to Raseiniai or will appear here soon, settled in this dormitory building. The government has provided 600 thousand. 3,400 euros each. This amount includes transportation costs, the money will be spent on food, hygiene products, utilities. The mayor of Raseiniai says costs haven’t reached thousands so far, but there is no shortage of purchases.
“People need various utensils, the same dryers and kettles to make tea, coffee and heat milk for young children,” says Andrius Bautronis, mayor of Raseiniai.
The clothing was allegedly provided by the Red Cross, however, the Lithuanian climate is harsh for Afghans, so the municipality will turn on the building’s radiators these days.
“Perhaps we will be the first in Lithuania to start the heating season in these types of premises,” he continues. By the way, so far most Afghans lack an Internet connection, this is what one of Raseiniai’s translators told TV3. The city authorities also promise to provide Internet these days. The Migration Department promises to grant refugee status to Afghans in a month or two. Then they can look for work and start receiving benefits. In the first half of the year, depending on the number of family members, from 250 to almost 800 euros. This is additional money from the state budget.
“After 7 months, we see if a person is progressing, what is their motivation, if they do not speak Lithuanian – or at least attend, at some level, according to which their benefit can increase or decrease”, says the representative of the Ministry Lina Perevičiūtė.
Benefits can be awarded for a maximum of three years. After leaving the premises provided by the municipality and acquiring refugee status, they will also receive a one-time benefit for the rental of the home, also taking into account the number of family members.
There is a shortage of workers in Lithuania, which is why, according to the ministry representative, Lithuanians are already proposing to hire refugees themselves:
The government expects all the 600 thousand planned. Afghans will not need euros, the amount of the expenses will depend on how long the Migration Department processes the refugee status documents.
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