Authorities estimate the number of displaced people at almost 10,000. Ukrainians who returned to their country after being in FranceThis was stated today by the head of the French Office of Immigration and Integration (Ofii) Didier Lessy.

“We estimate that almost 10,000 (Ukrainian displaced persons) returned at the end of September, according to invalid cards for asylum seekers,” Ofii CEO told AFP, giving a first estimate of this wave of departures, almost eight people. months after the start of the war in Ukraine.

To cross-check data related to this benefit, which is given to Ukrainian refugees even if they are not asylum seekers, the authorities also noted a decrease in the renewal of temporary residence permits issued to displaced persons and renewed every six months. months.

Since the beginning of September, Ukrainians have been gradually asked to extend their residence permits, which is confirmed by the data of the French Office of Immigration and Integration. “This is in line with what we have seen since the beginning of the crisis, namely that part of the Ukrainian IDPs are coming here with the aim of returning to their country as soon as possible, and the other part is moving between France and Ukraine,” said Didier Lessy.

This wave of departures also coincides with a clear slowdown in arrivals, “an average of 180” in recent days, a number that is also reflected in a drop in the number of Ukrainian schoolchildren attending schools in France: nearly 19,000 at the end of June versus 18,500 at the end of September, he adds. .

Despite this slowdown, nearly “107,000” Ukrainian displaced people continue to receive Ofii’s asylum seeker allowance, says Lassie, who estimates aid to Ukrainians since the start of the war at 27 million euros a month.

Source: APE/MEB