The number of applications for refugee status in Belarus has dropped considerably, UNHCR Representative in Belarus  Jean-Yves Bouchardy told reporters as he visited a temporary stay center for asylum seekers in Brest city.

“While in 2015 the number stood at 1,242, since the beginning of 2016 we have registered only 393 applications. The applicants are mainly Ukrainian nationals. There is also an Afghan family, an Eritrean citizen and a Croatian national,” Jean-Yves Bouchardy said.

The UNHCR Representative also met with partners from the Brest Oblast Office of the Belarusian Red Cross Society to discuss prospects of integration of asylum seekers, issues of employment, housing and language training.