Temporary state refugee accommodation in former Jena women's clinic

The former women's clinic in Bachstraße in Jena will provide temporary relief for the initial reception facility in Suhl and the refugee accommodation in Hermsdorf. For the months of April and May, a maximum of 150 refugees will move from the overloaded state accommodation facilities to the city on the Saale.

"It's only a temporary solution. But we have to do everything we can to improve the unacceptable situation in Suhl and especially in the former industrial hall in Hermsdorf, and even two months will help a lot," said Interior Minister Georg Maier.

The former women's clinic was previously used by the city of Jena as municipal refugee accommodation. First Ukrainian refugees and then asylum seekers were housed there. As the interim use ends at the end of March, the building is currently being emptied. This is because the owner of the property, Friedrich Schiller University, wants to build a center for pharmacy on the site. Initial work is due to start in the middle of the year. Until then, however, the city and university have now agreed to another interim use by the state.

"We are very grateful to both partners, the city administration of Jena and the Friedrich Schiller University, for their cooperation and uncomplicated help," says Maier.

Jena's Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche emphasized that Jena is a "cosmopolitan city".

"As such, we support the state in its efforts to create temporary accommodation for refugees. This is a question of humanity. However, we hope that the temporary use of the women's clinic will not hinder the University of Jena's time-critical plans to convert the site into a science campus."

(Press release by the Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Municipal Affairs and the City of Jena)