Inside the Kongsberg emergency department, the sun shines through the skylight over the corridors in the former college building. The walls are covered with children’s drawings, Ukrainian and Norwegian flags, and uplifting words in English and Ukrainian. “Welcome to Norway”. “We support Ukraine”. Young and old sit scattered around the room. Some knit, drink from their coffee cups, sit and chat, others play with Legos and toy planes. Tetiana Lepokhiwa is one of several thousand Ukrainian refugees who have come to Norway in recent months. – I haven’t been here very long yet, but so far I have a positive impression. People are helpful, she says. Tetiana Lepokhiwa has lived at the reception for two months. She shares a room with eleven other residents. Photo: Hedda Grønbrekk / news Higher arrivals than neighboring countries On Thursday, Justice and Emergency Services Minister Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) gave an account of the increase in arrivals in the Storting. There are now more than 1,000 new refugees per week. Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp) says that the large increase in Ukrainian refugees to Norway should be closely monitored. Photo: William Jobling / news – In recent weeks, this trend has intensified. Since mid-August, Norway has received more displaced persons from Ukraine than Sweden, Denmark and Finland combined, she said. The minister pointed out that UDI estimates that there will be 30,000 refugees from Ukraine next year and 5,000 from other countries. She highlights Norway’s good reputation as a possible reason. UDI and the Police’s immigration unit have observed on social media that Norway is referred to among Ukrainian refugees as a nice country to settle in. Erlend Wiborg (Frp) says that the government should change the level of services for Ukrainian refugees. Photo: Kristoffer Steffensen Lenes / news Erlend Wiborg (Frp) said in a comment to Mehl’s presentation that Norway offers more services than Sweden and Denmark. The FRP therefore wants the level of these services to be reduced. This is to avoid possibly having to force municipalities to open more receptions. Living in classrooms Reception at Kongsberg is an old university where both children, young people and the elderly live in former teaching rooms. They live there until they are allocated housing elsewhere in Norway. Together with just over 600 other refugees, Tetiana lives at the reception. She shares a classroom with eleven other residents. – The room is big enough and we have partitions. Besides, I know it’s temporary, so that’s why it’s going well, she says. At the asylum reception there are several walls covered with children’s drawings in all kinds of motifs. One of the children’s drawings on the wall, drawn by a child at the reception. Out in the corridor, an activity table has been set up for the little ones. There they can build with LEGO or draw. Several of the residents have an interest in knitting. Some of the residents gather around the table for a cup of coffee. The Salvation Army welcomes the residents. The waiting time is getting longer Kongsberg emergency department is run by the Salvation Army, commissioned by the Directorate of Immigration (UDI). Since opening on 28 March 2022, they have welcomed over 4,100 refugees. About 90 percent of them are from Ukraine. Now that more refugees are arriving, it is expected that the waiting time for own housing will be longer. – I have been here for two months now. There are a lot of people here. I am happy and have everything I need, but I am looking forward to living alone, she says. Tetiana has been allocated a municipality, but does not know when she can move there. Has a son in Ukraine Tetiana works voluntarily as a hairdresser at the reception. It is her former profession in Ukraine. – Then I use the time for something, instead of just sitting and waiting. One day I want to start my own business in Norway. But first I have to learn the language. That is the most important thing. Tetiana’s son is in Ukraine. Since men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the country, he was not allowed to come to Norway – We talk on the phone every day. I want to help him, but it doesn’t work. It hurts that we have to be apart. From right: Siliana Tetiana, Tetiana Lepokhiwa and Volosshyna Vita. The three women have a coffee chat around the table. Photo: Hedda Grønbrekk / news – I hope it will go well. I’m not that familiar with Norwegian society yet, but I like going for walks and being in nature. Maybe it can help me find my place here in Norway, says Tetiana.
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The Salvation Army’s Kongsberg emergency department notices an increase in Ukrainian refugees to Norway – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
