Lithuania is currently home to more than 217,000 migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees who left their home country in search of a new life due to war, political instability or other circumstances. However, they face a range of challenges when they arrive in a new country, from language barriers to difficulties in finding work and housing, according to an IOM Lithuania press release. On 13 May, artist Monika Dirsytė performed “Walls” at Vilnius railway station to draw attention to the challenges faced by migrants in Lithuania.

In a unique installation made of walls and a suitcase, the artist attempted to express the inner state of a migrant - from the unknown to helplessness and the struggle to fit in.

"By pushing the suitcase and bumping into the walls, I recreated the physical and emotional state of a migrant when you are trying to fit in in another country. It is not easy. Hitting walls like that can make you lose confidence, feel small, useless," says Dirsytė. 

The performance was accompanied by a sound installation created by Artūras Jelinas, featuring recordings about loneliness, language barriers, unemployment and cultural challenges.

"In Lithuania, refugees face many everyday challenges that few people think about. 34% of new arrivals have difficulties in registering with doctors, 19% lack access to employment and the same number have difficulties finding housing. All this makes it difficult for them to integrate and settle in their new country. Although everyone who comes to Lithuania experiences different difficulties, we should as a society have a common goal - to provide them with the necessary support and help them to integrate in Lithuania," says Vytautas Ežerskis, RISE Project Manager at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vilnius Office (IOM Lithuania).

According to him, M. Dirsytė's performance is one of the parts of the RISE project implemented by IOM Lithuania. The project aims to encourage Lithuanian citizens to become supporters and contribute to improving the integration of migrants and refugees in the country, thus complementing existing national initiatives to integrate refugees.

"Migrant integration is a long-term process, but we can all play our part in helping newcomers to feel safe and become active, full members of our society. This is all the more so when we have a wide range of professions and professionals coming to Lithuania who, because of the challenges of integration, are forced to work in jobs that are not in line with their qualifications. This deprives us of the opportunity to integrate refugees according to their existing competences and to ensure stability on the labour market," emphasises Vytautas Ežerskis.

Invited to become a supporter of migrants
Currently, those who wish to become a RISE project participant can contribute to the well-being of migrants and refugees in a variety of ways, from emotional support to social services, healthcare and housing.

"Our goal is to attract at least 100 supporters before World Refugee Day on 20 June. Working with our partners in Lithuania - the Reception and Integration Agency - we want these people to become friends of refugees in Lithuania, to help them settle in safe homes and take their first steps in our country. Sponsors can help with a variety of everyday challenges, such as registering for a doctor's appointment or children's schooling, advising on where to go for social support or other issues, or simply providing emotional support. And if you can, housing support - i.e. giving you the opportunity to move into a spare flat or room - would be particularly valuable," says Vytautas Ežerskis.

The EU-funded RISE project team organises in-depth training sessions for those who become sponsors, providing them with all the necessary information. Areas such as social support, practical issues, communication with the relevant authorities and other possible issues are covered. Throughout the project, sponsors will also be supported in answering questions or dealing with situations as they arise.

"The integration of migrants arriving in Lithuania is not only a task for the state institutions. It is the responsibility of society as a whole and we can all provide support. Today, it is not only about helping refugees, but also about our own ability to become more open and empathetic human beings," says Vytautas Ežerskis.

About the RISE project
RISE – Reinforcing Integration through Sponsorship Enhancement – is a Community Sponsorship initiative that connects local residents and communities with migrants who are forced to start a new life in a new country.

More information about the RISE project and registration to become a sponsor here.