Refugees told why they do not want to return to their homeland

For the second week now, the refugees, who were previously in a spontaneous camp on the Belarusian-Polish border, have been living in the Bremino-Bruzgi trade and logistics center near the Bruzgi border crossing in the Grodno region. it is here that they await the resolution of their future fate. Despite all the efforts of the Belarusian side, which gave people in trouble a roof over their heads and provides them with everything necessary to maintain a normal standard of living, the situation remains difficult. The correspondent of the newspaper "7 days" visited the new place of deployment of migrants and found out what they are going to do next.

Conditions for refugees in the TLC are, of course, many times better than in a spontaneous camp on the Belarusian-Polish border. They have a full-fledged shelter from bad weather and frost: the temperature inside the room, according to the sensations, is about +20 C. And this is an important point, because many migrants caught a cold during the week they were outside, some of them had exacerbated chronic diseases. In addition, people now sleep not on the cold ground, as before, but on wooden pallets and mattresses, from which a semblance of beds has been made.

The territory adjacent to the TLC was equipped for migrants: public utilities installed two dozen dry closets and garbage containers, Grodnovodokanal installed two drinking water tanks, and the military installed a field kitchen. They also pitched three tents for the distribution of food and humanitarian aid: it is brought by caring Belarusians and public organizations.

The other day, servicemen set up not far from the TLC, where 70 people can wash themselves in an hour. For refugees, this is a great joy: they have long asked for the opportunity to take a shower.

An ambulance team is on duty around the clock near the center. A lot of people turn to doctors for help, mostly complaining about colds, pain in the stomach and toothache.

A mobile shop regularly arrives at the new temporary home for refugees, and is open from early morning until late at night. They sell canned food, groceries, confectionery, dairy and MEAT products. And also - cigarettes, chips and carbonated drinks.

- These products are considered harmful, therefore, according to international standards, they cannot be provided as humanitarian aid, but there is a demand for them. Some people in the TLC negotiated with taxi drivers and ordered cigarettes on the Internet, and then resold them to their compatriots at a price of 10-50 euros per pack. To stop speculation, traveling trade in these goods was established at the same prices as throughout the country, - Vladimir Karanik, chairman of the Grodno regional executive committee, explained the appearance of the mobile shop.

There are also two food trucks on the territory of the TLC where you can buy fast food. Prices are at the Grodno average level: chicken shawarma - from Br7.50 to Br9, depending on weight, hot dogs - from Br4.50 to Br6, french fries - from Br3 to Br5.

Refugees can exchange currency for Belarusian rubles at the exchange office next to the TLC. They are taken there by several people, accompanied by servicemen of the internal troops, in order to avoid unrest. Volunteers-students of the philological faculty of Grodno State University named after Yanka Kupala help with the translation.

The morning in the TLC begins with cleaning. Smoking is only outside. Fire safety is paramount! After putting things in order - breakfast, which volunteers bring around 9-10 in the morning. Children and women, as a rule, are given fruits, yoghurts, MILK , hot tea. Men - only tea, cookies or gingerbread. After that, everyone goes about their own business: some wash their clothes on the street, others, despite the noise and the burning light in the TLC, sleep, others communicate and play checkers. The children are chasing the ball.

At 14:00 the military brings up. By this time, they are already waiting in line near the tents. The menu includes barley porridge or pasta with stew or sausages, hot tea. Along with lunch, humanitarian aid is given out: shoes, warm clothes, blankets, mattresses. For children - soft toys, balls, coloring books, felt-tip pens and colored pencils. By evening, everyone moves into "beds". And so every day.

Migrants thank our country for not leaving them alone with trouble. For example, Seyvan, a refugee from Iraq, claims that if the Belarusians had not helped his children with warm clothes and shoes, it would have been much more difficult for them to survive:

- I am fleeing Iraq because there are many problems, the entire infrastructure is destroyed. ISIS terrorists came to us, so my wife and three children and I are forced to flee. We want to get to Germany or France, where we can feel completely safe.

For about the same reason, he left Iraq and Madi:

- After the bombing, I was left without a house and any property. I have nowhere to return, and I don’t want to - death is better. I'm going to Germany. I hope they let me through.

The Syrian Nain also aspires to Germany. There, according to the man, his sister lives, who promised to help settle down at first:

- Living in Syria is simply unbearable. You fall asleep and are afraid not to wake up, as a bomb can hit the house. I can not take it anymore.

The nerves of the Iraqi Sala are also losing their nerves:

- At home, death threatens me, so I decided to leave with my family. Our government does not protect ordinary people, terrorists can kick you out of your house or kill you. Thanks to the Belarusians who did not leave us on the street in such a difficult situation and help in any way they can. We appreciate it very much.

- Firstly, I must express my gratitude to the government of Belarus for organizing unhindered access to the territory of the logistics center, - said Hans Kluge, DIRECTOR of the European Regional Office of the World HEALTH Organization. - We were able to communicate with everyone, find out about their needs and organize the delivery of essential goods. We will continue to provide all possible assistance at the request of the Ministry of Health. We agreed on a course of action.

First of all, the organization and provision of primary health care. An ambulance is already on duty at the facility, now it is necessary to organize medical supervision. It is necessary to provide targeted assistance to different categories: people with chronic diseases, pregnant women and children. The second step is to prevent the spread of covid-19 . Diagnostic kits for rapid testing will be delivered to the refugee camp.

Another important issue is ensuring psychological well-being. On the part of the Ministry of Health, we were assured that the Grodno Medical University, in particular its medical and psychological faculty, is ready to help at any time to resolve all issues of mental health and psychological well-being. And also sanitary and hygienic conditions. Shower facilities will be arranged so that people can maintain personal hygiene. Certain actions are planned and are being carried out.

Now there are about 1.8 thousand people in the transport and logistics center. Many of them are women and children. About 1/5 of the area of ​​the TLC is allocated for accommodation of migrants. All are provided with bedding. Over the past week, more than 70 tons of humanitarian aid were distributed to refugees.

Chairman of the Investigative Committee Dmitry Gora: “132 people were recognized as victims on the Belarusian-Polish border, including 23 children aged from one to 14 years. The types of injuries are different: chemical burns, bodily injuries, one of the victims has a suspected fracture of the ribs. The bulk of the damage to the respiratory organs as a result of the use of potent toxic substances. A criminal case has been opened on the fact of crimes against the security of mankind, and a legal assessment will be given to the actions of the Polish security forces."

Oleg Krivonosov,

newspaper .