NGOs warn tighter conditions for refugees could leave many homeless

NGOs have warned that the tightened conditions for Ukrainian refugees, which went into effect on July 1, could leave many of them homeless. In line with an amendment to the law, Ukrainian refugees who have been in the country for longer than 5 months will no longer get accommodation for free. The state will continue to cover housing minors under 18, students of Czech universities, seniors over 65, people with disabilities and their care givers, as well as pregnant women and people caring for children under six. Social Affairs Minister Marian Jurečka defended the decision, saying that refugees could be helped to find work or alternate accommodation by labour offices, various aid organizations and local Ukrainian communities.