Given the scale of the challenge, Switzerland is coping well with the influx of Ukrainian refugees, but we do not know how many more will come, says Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
Português
pt
Acolhimento de refugiados ucranianos funciona bem na Suíça
At an early stage, Switzerland introduced a special “S” status for the refugees and involved relevant actors at different levels, she said in an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger published on Saturday. Likening the Swiss federal system to one of sculptor Jean Tinguely’s kinetic machines, she told the newspaper that “it takes time to get going, but once it starts, it works”.
But new issues arise every day and we don’t know how many more refugees will come, she continued. More accommodation will be needed in private homes. Keller-Sutter told the newspaper that she would soon appoint a person to develop medium- and long-term planning.
Some 22,000 Ukrainian refugees have been registered in Switzerland since Russia invaded its neighbour on February 24.
Return ‘as soon as possible’
Most of those who have fled the war – mainly women and children – do not consider themselves refugees and “want to return as soon as possible”, Keller-Sutter said.
Christine Schraner Burgener, head of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), agrees. In an interview with Le Temps also published on Saturday, she said all the Ukrainian women she met on the border at Chiasso on March 30 “told me that they did not want to be dependent on society and that they wanted to return home as soon as possible”.
In the meantime, these often highly qualified women must be able to work, Schraner Burgener continued, stressing the need to tackle a shortage of childcare places.
There are currently, 9,000 places for the refugees in federal asylum centres, she told Le Temps, but this number should increase to 12,000 in the coming weeks.
Related Stories
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Politics
Switzerland triggers unprecedented special status for Ukrainian refugees
This content was published on
Production in Switzerland's secondary sector fell in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was more pronounced in the construction sector than for industry.
Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
This content was published on
Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.
University of Basel to mark 125th anniversary of Nietzsche’s death
This content was published on
This month the University of Basel is celebrating the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a professor there from 1869 to 1879. August 25th marks the 125th anniversary of his death.
Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
This content was published on
Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.
Fish and aquatic plants are under ‘severe pressure’ in Swiss rivers and lakes
This content was published on
Fish, aquatic plants and other animals in Swiss rivers, lakes and streams remain under 'severe pressure', according to the Federal Office for the Environment.
Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
This content was published on
The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.
Police identify bodies of three climbers who died in Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Police have formally identified the bodies of three climbers who died in the Upper Valais region in early August: they are from Germany, France and Austria.
Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
This content was published on
The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.
Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland
This content was published on
Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.
Private equity group Advent to buy U-Blox for $1.3 billion
This content was published on
Private equity group Advent International has agreed to take over Switzerland's U-Blox Holding in a cash offer worth CHF1.05 billion ($1.30 billion).
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss open their homes to Ukrainian refugees
This content was published on
We look at why and how host families in Switzerland are being “matched” with refugees, and in some cases finding each other.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.