Silke Koltrowitz, Arnd Wiegmann

ZURICH (Reuters – Hundreds of Ukrainians gathered in Zurich for food assistance on Saturday, as rich Switzerland struggled to deal with around 40,000 refugees who arrived in Ukraine after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Official accommodation provides financial assistance to refugees, but this may not be enough to cover living expenses in an area where costs of living are high.

According to government figures, half of all arrivals live with host families and are now falling through the cracks in the welfare system.

According to Swiss charities, many Ukrainians fleding Russia were coming to Switzerland for help with food, clothing, and medical treatment. This was apparent from Saturday’s long queue outside the Zurich food bank.

Kristina, her daughter Kristina (7 years old) and her friend from Ukraine in Zurich were among those queuing up at the Essen fuer Alle (Food for All), food distribution center along rail tracks.

Kristina (42), said, “We come to take food because it is necessary.” She did not give her name. “Our volunteer (host) cannot give food every time. Her tiredness and lack of money are two reasons she cannot give food.

Ariane stocklin from Christian aid project Incontro said to Reuters that it is a common tale.

Some refugees live with their families, who cannot pay for food. Many others are staying in shelters, with insufficient food. Stocklin explained that we see lots of demand.

Before the Ukraine crisis, some Swiss areas were still struggling to survive on welfare payments for refugees.

Zurich’s voters voted in 2017 for a reduction in welfare payments to refugees at 500 Swiss francs per month ($522) below the current standard of social welfare.

Heike Isselhorst spoke on behalf of Zurich’s social services department. She said that basic needs were covered for those who are housed with the authorities.

She said that there is no way to help refugees who are staying with their host families.

Gaby Szoelloesy is the coordinator of cantonal social welfare department. This week, she apologised to host families for feeling left behind.

According to her, it’s very, very difficult for us not even to learn of the commitment by host family because it wasn’t sent via official channels.” She stated at a press conference.

Although the government granted temporary residence and work permits to Ukrainian refugees, it does not address current needs of struggling refugee families.

Anna, a 38-year-old Ukrainian refugee, arrived in Zurich’s suburb of Winterthur with her young children, her mother, and two other family members in February. The couple lives in an apartment shared with their friend’s parents.

We stayed in refugee centres when we arrived. However, it wasn’t a suitable place for our children. There was no privacy and no food. “They even searched us everytime we returned from outside,” she stated.

($1 = 0.9571 Swiss francs)