Two shelters – in Wroclaw and Batumi – are open and operate within the framework of the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Service. In total, more than a hundred people have already passed through the shelters. It is also planned to open shelters in Vilnius and Tbilisi.
The shelter can be used by people fleeing repression in Belarus and in need of temporary housing, families of political prisoners, and former political prisoners. Stays at the shelter are limited in duration and are offered as a temporary accommodation option only. After assessing your individual situation, a volunteer will contact you to arrange your check-in and accommodation.
Alexey Leonchik, head of the BY_Help fund, answered the questions.
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How long can you stay in a shelter?
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One month, if you escaped from repression or were released from prison, but are not recognized as a political prisoner. Two months - if you are a participant in the rehabilitation program for political prisoners (application form: bit.ly/recoveryby)
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How far in advance do I need to apply? Is it possible to apply on the day of arrival? Is it possible to check in outside of business hours?
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It is better to submit an application in advance, but if this was not possible at all, then in some emergency cases we are ready to consider an urgent application. However, it may happen that there are no places available.
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Is it possible to live there with children, a dog or a cat?
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Yes, but these options are considered individually depending on the occupancy of the shelter.
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Is there a kitchen/cooking facility?
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There is a kitchen, this is a full-fledged home.
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Do I need to bring bed linen and towels?
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We advise you to have your own, and if not, we will provide it.
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How many people can live in each shelter (or how many families)?
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We try to create comfortable conditions, so we strive to ensure that the room accommodates one person or a family of two. Usually 4-10 people live in the shelter.
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Can a volunteer then help with finding an apartment in the language of the host country?
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Yes, maybe. But it should be understood that the main burden of searching falls on the guest himself. We will do our best to have volunteers help us at first.
For registration questions, please contact on Telegram: @michas_help.
We remind you that the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Service is the result of cooperation between four leading organizations helping the politically repressed: the public campaign BY_Help, the BYSOL Fund, the Dissidentby Initiative and “A Country to Live in” foundation.
On behalf of the Service, we express our deep gratitude to the Belarusians of Wroclaw, activists and volunteers who helped and are helping in organizing the work of the shelter.
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