There is the social media expert, 21 years old, who was hired in a multinational company in Milan, while still attending an Italian course. There is the worker, 22 years old, in Pero in the Milanese suburbs, who is completing her course of study to learn our language and about to start work in a factory. There is an urban planner, graduated in Architecture, 43 years old, who is attending an advanced course in Italian in the Lombard capital while waiting to verify his skills and find an adequate job that enhances his professionalism. And then there is a family of three, father 43 years old, mother 42 and son of 17, who recently arrived in Vicenza, who are learning Italian.

One fifth of refugees are school age

The aid for Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Italy fleeing Vladimir Putin’s tanks should start with education .  In what seemed like a war destined to last a brief time, with asylum seekers ready to return home at the end of the conflict that was thought to be over quickly, now they are dealing with a longer-term stay. Areas to the south and east of Ukraine are under military attack. In the North, the Belarusian army is pressing menacingly, which many fear means that it may enter the conflict. And while the situation in the country knocking on Europe’s doors is still unstable, there are thousands of refugees here looking for shelter, education and job opportunities.

The figures from the Ministry of Education, updated to May 9, tell of the effort that is being made. By that date, 22,788 Ukrainians had been welcomed into our institutes. Of which 5,060 in kindergarten, 10,399 in Primary, 5,266 in middle school and 2,103 in secondary school.

The young students represent a fifth of the refugees who have arrived in our country. According to the Viminale, updated on May 10, 111,386 asylum seekers have arrived. The government has so far allocated over 900 million euros. The last 360 million with the Aid Decree signed on May 5

While waiting for the European funds to arrive, private individuals are also moving.

Welfare for Ukrainians

The latest agreement, one of the most important, has been reached by Assolavoro, the National Association of Employment Agencies, with the trade unions. In support of refugees, 45 million euros have been allocated that will fund Italian courses, professional training courses but also provide immediate support for the self-sufficiency of refugees. Such as an attendance allowance for those who do not yet have a job, in addition to reimbursement for the costs of food, accommodation and transport. Holders of international protection, automatically granted on a provisional basis for two years, will then receive a one-off payment one thousand euros at the end of the training course.

Another part of the funds will go to those who support and welcome refugees. Almost three months after the Russian invasion, we know that there are many families in difficulty due to hosting refugees who complain that they have been abandoned by the state. 1000 euros for those who host refugees for at least three months, increasing to 1500 in the event that there are pregnant women or children under 18 years of age

The aid package also includes welfare benefits such as reimbursement for psychological assistance, reimbursement for the purchase of basic necessities for newborns and a contribution for nursery and education support. This is one of the most important appropriations by private or associative parties in support of refugees in general and Ukrainians in this dramatic moment in particular”, highlights Alessandro Ramazza, President of Assolavoro. “With this Agreement, a refugee will be able to attend Italian language courses and courses of a technical nature, will have concrete economic support and will be accompanied on paths to work”. In the end, another way to win a battle, the one that leads to the inclusion of asylum seekers, the only one we like.

Translated by Adam Clark

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