News item | 11-02-2022 | 17:47
The Dutch embassy in Kyiv again asks Dutch people to check whether their stay in Ukraine is necessary. For Dutch people who decide to stay, it is important to prepare well for a possible crisis. This is what Jennes de Mol, the Dutch ambassador in Kyiv, said today during an online meeting with Dutch people in Ukraine.
The embassy had organized the digital meeting to answer questions from Dutch people in Ukraine. About fifty Dutch people responded to the invitation that was sent via the BZ Information Service†
Ambassador De Mol urged the Dutch not to postpone their departure until the last minute: ‘The situation is very uncertain and can suddenly get out of hand. That is why we are already asking you: is your stay here really necessary? If not, consider leaving now.’
If people choose to stay, it is their own responsibility to be well prepared. ‘Follow the news, subscribe to the information service of BZ. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, but it can suddenly happen very quickly. Keep in mind.’
Support center Lviv
In the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, the Netherlands is setting up a support center that will come into effect if tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate. Dutch nationals who want to leave the country via the western border can then contact the support centre. The meeting point in Lviv is intended for emergency aid: Dutch citizens and their family members can, for example, go there for emergency passports (laissez-passers).
‘People can relax for a while, get food and information’, says De Mol. ‘Should all communication fail in an emergency and you want to appeal to the embassy, come to the support center in Lviv.’
As soon as the preparations for the support center have been completed, the location will be announced as soon as possible.
Own transport
Several attendees asked whether the Netherlands will evacuate people if the crisis escalates. This is not an option, emphasized De Mol. If the situation gets out of hand, there is a chance that the airspace will close.
‘You will have to cross the border with your own transport. Make sure your car is ready and refueled. Arrange extra petrol, blankets, food and drinks for the road.’
Preparation advice
To be prepared for sudden departure, the embassy strongly advises Dutch people to ensure that their travel documents are in order. It is important for family members with Ukrainian nationality that they have their biometric passport. This allows them to stay in the Netherlands for 90 days.
But what if some family members do not yet have travel documents, such as small children? That question came up repeatedly during the meeting.
“At the meeting point in Lviv, the embassy looks generously at the situation of immediate family members,” said Gemma van Rosmalen of the embassy. However, she emphasized that the embassy is not able to provide the entire family with travel documents – it only concerns the nuclear family.