Mykhailo Hrekov fled Mariupol in Ukraine last spring. Almost half a million people lived in the city before Russian bombs destroyed it. Now he lives with his mother and grandmother in Uggdal in Tysnes. The island municipality in Sunnhordland has around 2,800 inhabitants, and most people drive a car. – It is difficult for us who do not have a car, says the 16-year-old. He gets a school bus during the day, but in the evenings and at weekends it is impossible to get around Tysnes by bus. Then the refugees have to hitchhike or walk long distances on narrow roads. The local newspaper Tysnes wrote about the matter last summer and the mayor notified the county of the situation, but nothing has happened. – Harms language education There are many who are stuck, according to teacher and Labor politician in Tysnes, Anne Merete Fjeldstad. – Several sharks. Otherwise, there are caring teachers, assistants and extended family who make sure they have transport on offer. But often miss it at small and large events. TEACHERS AND POLITICIANS: Anne Merete Fjeldstad (Ap) is worried that Norwegian education will be weakened if the refugees do not attend activities. Photo: Eli Bjelland / news She has taught students who come from other countries for almost ten years, and notices that it damages language learning if they are not active in their free time. – Poor public transport services have been a problem in Tysnes for a long time, and have become extra clear now. Neither she nor Mykhailo believe the answer is more half-empty buses at fixed times, but that solutions can be found that are more targeted. Dependent on voluntary help Norwegian municipalities, both large and small, are accepting record numbers of refugees. Recently, the Directorate for Integration and Diversity (Imdi) asked the municipalities to house 38,000 refugees this year. That is 3,000 more than previously calculated. Many people come to villages hoping for population growth, but where there are hardly any buses. – It is the case in many places that one is dependent on voluntary efforts in order to be able to participate in leisure activities, says Anita Væting, who is an adviser for inclusion and diversity in Norway’s Volunteer Centres. The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (Noas) also receives questions about this. – Ukrainians call because they wonder what is on offer in the municipality they live in. This particularly applies to access to a doctor, but also mobility. It is not good to stay at home, says legal adviser Roman Dudnyk. Transport: – There is no money now Eight municipalities in Vestland have reported an increased need for public transport in connection with the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees. – I submitted this to the county in October last year. It’s been over half a year, and nothing has happened to help those who are without an offer, says Tysnes mayor Kåre Martin Kleppe (H). He asks that there be at least an offer on Saturdays a couple of times a month. The municipality has two minibuses at its disposal, but needs drivers for these. FEW BUS DEPARTURES: From Uggdal to Våge on Tysnes it is almost five kilometres. Several Ukrainians hitchhike because there are so few buses. Photo: Eli Bjelland / news Another struggling municipality is Stryn. – It is a huge challenge to get somewhere if you live some distance from the centre, says the head of Stryn volunteer center, Marit Sandnes Skrede. The municipality has received more than 90 Ukrainian refugees so far, and many ask for help to get where they are going. – Unfortunately, I have to say no. This is a public task, and not a problem to be solved by volunteers. In Vestland county, there will be no immediate measures. – Each individual wish does not cost that much, but together there are costs that go beyond the budget limits of Skyss, says press contact Øyvind Strømmen at the county transport company. The need for financing measures will be taken forward in the work on the budget for 2024. BASKETBALL: Mykhailo is a basketball talent and trains twice a week in the neighboring municipality of Stord. Photo: Hilde Zwaig Kolstad Three drivers for each training For the time being, refugees like Mykhailo Hrekov have to rely on voluntary help. The 16-year-old’s dream is to become a basketball player. In Mariupol, he trained five times a week. Volunteers make a big effort to drive him to training in the neighboring municipality of Stord twice a week. Three drivers have to go every time – first to and from the ferry from Hodnanes, then from the ferry quay to the training of number two and a third man back to the ferry. – They are good people, whom I like very much, says Mykhailo. In the autumn, he moves to Bergen to go to school and play more basketball.
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Lack of buses in the village – Refugees hitchhike or stay at home – news Vestland
