The mayors of France are ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees
Refugees arrive at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland, February 25, 2022. © REUTERS / Kacper Pempel
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2 mins
The Association of Mayors of France and the Association of Rural Mayors of France, which represent towns and villages, are in favor of the arrival of Ukrainian families.
A spirit of mutual aid shared by many municipalities, regardless of their size and number of inhabitants.
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According to a report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
400,000 people have fled Ukraine since the start of the war against Russia
.
In France, solidarity to welcome them is organized in the municipalities.
For Grégory Doucet, the mayor of Lyon, it is the responsibility of politicians.
"
I think that many mayors, but also many heads of local government executives, and of course also, I hope, our Head of State, will be keen to ensure that the value of fraternity that we must embody on a daily basis takes on full substance in this context of war in Ukraine.
»
This is the first time that one of our twin towns has been attacked, bombarded.
Right now, my colleague Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kiev, is on the barricades, helping to defend his city.
Jean-Luc Moudenc, mayor of the city of Toulouse, twinned with Kiev
Stephane Duguet
In Laval, in western France, Mayor Florian Bercault has a long-term plan.
“
I believe that we must be humanists and show solidarity with the Ukrainian people,
he said,
as we have done for Afghan families.
We must respect international conventions on exile and asylum.
We are really in a welcoming philosophy, with a desire to integrate into the city, in the medium and long term.
With first of all basic essential security: food security, security through housing, security of integration through employment.
It is really essential so that these families can fully flourish in our cities, while waiting, I hope, for peace to be found in their country.
»
And even in the small villages, the inhabitants want to help, as in Rosoy in Burgundy.
“
If we can lend a hand, we do it,
” summarizes Dominique Chapuis, the village mayor.
I know single people who have big houses, which can accommodate.
Including me, moreover, who am ready to welcome women with children into my home, to allow these people to have a break in this moment of dramatic history.
»
All are now awaiting instructions from the government and the prefectures.
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