On 13 June 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers reviewed the Information report from the Ministry of Interior on the planned measures of EUR 7.8 million granted by the European Commission to Latvia, thanks to the support provided by Latvia to Ukrainian civilians.
The Ministry of Interior, involving representatives of non-governmental organizations, the Society Integration Foundation and local municipalities, provided the Cabinet of Ministers with a view of the current priorities for supporting Ukrainian civilian populations, particularly integration and immediate assistance on Latvia's external borders, and the necessary material resources to better support individuals in crisis situations throughout Latvia, with additional funding attracted.
The Society Integration Foundation will receive additional resources to promote the socio-economic integration of Ukrainian civilians in Latvia, for example by providing Latvian teaching activities for young people, while priority funding is provided for psychological support measures and data collection of Ukrainian civilians on their needs and other measures. It is planned to involve non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the measures, which will also develop the voluntary movement in Latvia in support of Ukrainian civilians. The Society Integration Foundation will allocate up to €2 million to non-governmental organizations in the form of tenders. With some of this funding, it is also planned to ensure the continuity of short-term primary aid to Latvia's external borders.
An additional €0.5 million is marked for the Riga state city to implement social support and inclusion measures for Ukrainian civilians. Given that the majority of Ukrainian civilians living in Latvia fleeing Russian military aggression in Ukraine are staying directly in Riga, the Ministry of Interior supported the proposal to provide additional support to Riga.
Both the rapid influx of Ukrainian civilians into Latvia and the January 2023 floods in Jekabpils, as well as international experience and events, indicate the need to strengthen the capacity of rescue services to respond in timely times to crisis situations by supporting those affected by the crisis, such as Ukrainian civilians. Consequently, EUR 4.8 million will be devoted to the State Fire and Rescue Service for the strengthening of material resources, which will also be available in the event of future migration crises.
These are just some of the planned measures to support Ukrainian civilians and strengthen Latvia's capacity to help in the future, which complements the extensive assistance already provided by the State of Latvia and the European Union to Ukrainian civilians.
In response to the increased migration flows of Ukrainian civilians within the European Union, the European Commission provided the EU Member States with the largest share of Ukrainian civilians, compared with the population, with additional funding. In 2022, the Ministry of Interior received an additional €7.8 million under the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
