On 16 January 2008 the official opening of the Temporary Accommodation Center (TAC) for psychological and social adaptation of refugees in Gomel, Belarus took place. The opening of the TAC is the final step in implementing of the EU TACIS – UNHCR Project “Strengthening the National Asylum System in the Republic of Belarus”.
This Project has aimed at further strengthening the national asylum system in the Republic of Belarus, in particular at improving the reception conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in the regions hosting refugees. Thus, the main goal of this project is to strengthen social infrastructure in the city of Gomel and its opportunities for reception of asylum seekers and integration of recognized refugees.
To achieve the abovementioned aims UNHCR closely cooperated with the MOI of the Republic of Belarus, the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee and the Gomel City Executive Committee.
The cost of construction works and equipping of the Center totaled at 282,000 Euro. The EC contributed an amount of 185,585 Euro. UNHCR contribution was 96,414 Euro. Funds were provided to establish TAC as well as to upgrade the infrastructure of the Social Center to ensure that asylum seekers, recognized refugees as well as local citizens have access to quality social, psychological and legal assistance.
The TAC will have a capacity to accommodate 26 persons including asylum seekers, recognized refugees residing in the city of Gomel and in the Gomel region who found themselves in a difficult living situation, rejected asylum seekers by the Government that UNHCR is helping with finding other durable solutions, as well as local citizens finding themselves in a critical living situation, threatening their lives and health (those who suffered domestic violence, natural disasters; crimes; victims of human trafficking etc.). The Regional Committee on Labour and Social Protection will finance the running costs of the TAC and MOI will provide funds to cover accommodation costs of asylum seekers in the TAC.