Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) has provided the latest data on Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. As of October 1 of this year, a total of 561,605 Ukrainian refugees have applied for temporary protection in the Czech Republic since the beginning of the conflict. However, Rakušan revealed that over 200,000 refugees have chosen to leave the Czech Republic during the conflict, either heading to other EU member states or returning to Ukraine.

Out of the total applicants, 358,740 individuals physically submitted applications for temporary protection within the country by October 1, indicating a significant exodus of refugees. This data challenges claims made by some politicians and members of the public about the accuracy of records regarding Ukrainian individuals in Czech territory. Rakušan clarified that nearly 360,000 refugees have registered with the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy, providing crucial information.

Nevertheless, there is a notable challenge concerning the education of Ukrainian children in the country. Rakušan pointed out that the state had underestimated the language barrier faced by these children, leading to communication difficulties in many schools. To address this issue, efforts are underway to allocate funds for specialized language courses in the coming year, with a focus on providing quality language education to Ukrainian students. Rakušan cited Germany as an example of a country that successfully integrates young Ukrainians by offering intensive language courses before they enter mainstream schools.

Among the registered Ukrainians, approximately 115,000 are legally employed, with this number steadily increasing. This is a significant figure, considering that a substantial portion of the registered individuals consists of children, elderly individuals, and women caring for children who are unable to work. Rakušan highlighted that these legally employed Ukrainians are projected to contribute approximately CZK 12 to 15 billion in levies to the Czech state budget for the current year, ultimately benefiting the country’s economy.

Despite the challenges, Rakušan expressed optimism that Ukrainian refugees could help alleviate the long-term labor shortage in the Czech Republic. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to have far-reaching consequences, not only on the affected regions but also on neighboring countries like the Czech Republic, which are actively involved in providing support and temporary shelter to those fleeing the crisis.

Article by Prague Forum