The first refugees move into the women's clinic

Since May 30, the former women's clinic in Jena has provided a new home for an initial 73 refugees from Ukraine. This marks the end of their flight from the war in their home country and temporary accommodation in gymnasiums in a safe domicile.

At the beginning of the year, Friedrich Schiller University Jena took over the former women's clinic in Bachstrasse from the university hospital in order to use it for scientific purposes. However, the war in Ukraine and the subsequent wave of refugees postponed these plans. At short notice, the university, together with the city of Jena as the building owner, converted the clinic into accommodation for refugees with considerable personnel input. A total of 150 Ukrainians will be able to live here in the near future.

"The local authorities are currently playing a key role in offering local help to refugees from Ukraine. Creating new accommodation is central to this," said Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche at today's official opening ceremony. "Without strong partners such as the University of Jena and the state of Thuringia, we would not have been able to upgrade the former women's clinic as additional accommodation for the refugees in such a short space of time. My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved!"

High level of commitment from all involved

Holger Otto, Head of the University's Building Department, said that the high level of motivation shown by all those involved in converting the old building into refugee accommodation was particularly noteworthy. He emphasized the support provided by Jena University Hospital and the fact that even construction companies with full order books had agreed to help with the refurbishment at short notice.

"We are currently supervising a lot of construction sites. But if we can help to alleviate the suffering of the refugees a little, then we are happy to do our bit," says Otto.

The city has invested around 200,000 euros in renovations and equipment. Furnishings were also purchased, "but many were also donated", says Jakob Hartmann from the university's construction department, who is delighted with the commitment of the citizens.

"We also had active help from university, municipal and many volunteer helpers in assembling the furniture," emphasizes Hartmann.

For Mayor Christian Gerlitz, the fact that Jena actively welcomes the refugees is also very important:

"I am very pleased that today we can put the former women's clinic building into operation as new accommodation for refugees from Ukraine and, in particular, free up the gymnasiums previously used as emergency accommodation. Once again, this success was also made possible by the many donations in kind from the local population and the commitment of the volunteers."

The AWO Regionalverband Mittewest-Thüringen e. V. El Alami El Mediani from the AWO's specialist service for migration and integration in Jena believes that his team and the clinic are well equipped for this:

"This building is a clear improvement on the gyms - if only because of the kitchens and greater privacy."

Katja Bär, head of the university's communications department, emphasized that the university is supporting the refugees from Ukraine with a variety of other measures in addition to the renovation of the women's clinic. Among other things, she referred to the emergency fund immediately set up by the Friends of the University of Jena, which supports students in financial need due to the war, and the numerous public lectures on the war in Ukraine, its causes and consequences.

Jena's willingness to help is appreciated, as some of the new residents have made clear. Now, however, they are mainly busy settling into their new home.