Immediately, after the war started in Ukraine, compassionate citizens in the small Czech town of Valašské Meziříčí, in short Valmez (22,000 inhabitants), have been providing logistical and financial support to Ukrainian refugees arriving in the town, mainly women and children.

The situation in October 2022 became more critical: More than 4,000 refugees are being accommodated in the Vsetín district (Valmez, Vsetín, and Rožnov) located on the border to Slovakia. Available apartments are limited. Also, the economic situation in the border region with Slovakia is getting worse. While the adult refugees are looking for work, the jobs they find are most often for unskilled workers. On the other hand, many children have been admitted to local schools.

Valmez4Shelter is a bi-national initiative that was started on-site by Czech citizens in Valmez and is supported by their long-standing friends in Switzerland. The goal is to ensure support in the region on a sustainable, long-term base. But, of course, we all hope for a fast end to the war.