Food cards for people who have escaped war
Press release in Ukrainian language.
"Maisto bankas" cards worth 115 euros have been distributed to Ukrainian people who have fled the war to our country. They can be used to buy food in stores belonging to one of the retail chains operating in Lithuania. The following is all the necessary assistance to the Ukrainians who have fled the horrors of war. Non-governmental organizations have already provided various aids to more than 20,000 people, distributed almost 12,000 humanitarian packages, and more than 25,000 food packages.
"Non-governmental organizations have already reached almost 3.3 million euros in state funds for Ukrainians who have fled the war. A significant part of this amount will be spent on catering and distributing food cards. I would like to thank the non-governmental organizations for their important contribution in providing assistance to the people who have escaped the war, and the volunteers for taking the time to receive the Ukrainian brothers and sisters“, – says Monika Navickienė, the Minister of Social Security and Labor.
Food card – how to get it?
Food cards are issued to people who came to Lithuania from Ukraine and registered with the Migration department no earlier than February 24, 2022.
A person wishing to receive a food card must have an ILTUS code issued by the Migration department and fill in the "Maisto bankas" form: http://inx.lv/hiFg
After filling out the form, Ukrainian war refugees will be notified where and when they can withdraw their cards to purchase food. With these cards, they will be able to shop in the shops of one of the retail chains in the municipality of their place of residence.
Cards are given to each person. Families receive as many cards as there are individuals registered in the system. Each person must provide an ILTUS code, so it is necessary to fill in as many questionnaires as there are cards.
When taking a card, one must have an identity document and a document issued by the Migration department with the ILTUS code. All-family cards can be taken by a single family member, but one must have proof of eligibility.
Assistance provided to Ukrainians
Until now, non-governmental organizations operating in Lithuania have provided assistance to 20,000 Ukrainians who have fled the horrors of war and taken refuge in our country. 11,800 humanitarian packages, 25,400 food packages have already been distributed, and more than 2,000 children from Ukraine have received emotional and psychosocial support through "Save the Children". 1,500 Ukrainian children have received other assistance, and 43 pregnant women have received support through baby bibs and other means.
Through the Lithuanian Red Cross Society, Caritas Lithuania, the help service of the Order of Malta, Save the Children, "Maisto bankas" has joined more than 5,600 volunteers in providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
Food rations and hygiene packages for Ukrainians arriving in Lithuania are distributed at registration centers in Alytus, Marijampolė, Vilnius, Klaipėda, Kaunas and Šiauliai, as well as in non-governmental organizations in the municipalities where Ukrainians stay.
The Ukrainians living in Lithuanian municipalities are assisted by the mobile teams of the Lithuanian Red Cross Society, Caritas Lithuania, the help service of the Order of Malta, Save the Children organization. The volunteers of these teams help with the necessary services or things, help in finding a job and educational institutions for children. Save the Children teams help children and pregnant women.
To ensure the minimum needs and livelihood of the Ukrainian people who have escaped the war in Lithuania, municipalities can provide social support to war refugees, such as a one-time, targeted, periodic, conditional benefit, as it is necessary for Ukrainians in difficult situations. However, this depends on the financial capacity of the particular municipality.