The Refugee Crisis at the Lithuania-Belarus Border: A Humanitarian Perspective
The humanitarian crisis at the Lithuania-Belarus border remains an urgent issue despite fluctuating media attention. In February 2025 I travelled (self funded) to Lithuania to meet with our partner, Sienos Grupe, a local grassroots organisation dedicated to assisting asylum seekers and refugees in Lithuania. Here I witnessed first-hand the ongoing challenges faced by those seeking safety.
Lithuania-Belarus Border Crisis
In 2021, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko weaponised migration by purposely luring asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa into Belarus and pushing them towards the borders of the European Union. He knew the EU didn't want these people and, in response, Poland and Lithuania built barriers at the barrier. Whilst Poland’s 115-mile (186 km) fence became the most notable example, it was the forested "No Mans Land" between the countries that captured international attention. People, families, stuck outside in freezing temperatures for days and weeks with no way forwards or backwards, and no provisions. Many died of hypothermia and other related causes.
Fast forward to 2025 and Lithuania's authorities regularly publish the number of push-backs undertaken. Despite being illegal under international law, the authorities in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia frequently broadcast pushbacks as achievements. 30 were recorded in January alone. This forced return of people at border crossings is widely reported as violent, further exacerbating the dangers displaced people must face. I met one mother who
Who Are the People Irregularly Crossing the Belarus-Lithuanian Border?
The people making these treacherous journeys come from Afghanistan, Iraq (Kurdish), Somalia, and Congo, among other places. They will most likely have flown into Russia before crossing into Belarus and attempting entry into the Baltic states.
For those who reach an official checkpoint where the Red Cross is present, there is a chance of claiming asylum. However, the number of applications remains low, especially during the harsh winter months when temperatures plummet and survival becomes ever more difficult. Whilst I was there in February temperatures dropped as low as a chilling -10.
The Role of Sienos Grupe in Supporting Refugees
Sienos Grupe is one of few organisations providing direct support to asylum seekers in Lithuania. Founded in response to the 2021 crisis their work remains important today. Despite their limited resources - only a 50% paid role for their director and a handful of part-time staff and volunteers - their presence is essential.
How Sienos Grupe Helps Refugees in Lithuania
- Drop-in Centre in Vilnius: Open once a week, this center provides a safe space for asylum seekers. Drop-ins fluctuate with some weeks seeing many people, while others are quiet with no drop-ins.
- Food Assistance: Those in most need receive €20 per person per month in supermarket vouchers.
- Legal Support: Referrals to trusted human rights lawyers to help refugees navigate Lithuania’s complex asylum process.
- Medical Support: Help with long-term diagnosis not covered with free healthcare, notably dental, back pain, leg injuries and psychological help.
- Community Activities: A volunteer recently set up a weekly yoga and meditation class, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to both physical and mental well-being.
At forRefugees we've actively supported Sienos Grupe's Food Assistance and Medical Support projects.
A Visit to the Rukla Refugee Camp
One of Lithuania’s three official refugee camps, Rukla Camp is in a small, remote town and former military building. While not ideal, the conditions here are relatively stable especially when compared to makeshift border encampments.
People stay here as asylum seekers waiting for their claims to be reviewed and:
- Receive €120 per month.
- Each family has their own room.
- The camp is open, allowing people to travel to Lithuania's second city, Kaunas, for about €1.40 each way by bus.
- The facility includes a children’s playground and a five-a-side football pitch.
During my visit, I met a Cuban mum with her11-month-old baby. While the mother and child have been granted permission by Lithuania to relocate to Spain, Spain has yet to approve their transfer. This mum made the dangerous journey with a newborn baby. We also met a Congolese mother who has been in Lithuania for four years. She has papers, but is allowed to stay at the camp due to her vulnerability. Her husband has only just reached Lithuania and is currently detained, the next step uncertain, with detention periods lasting up to five months or more.
What Lies Ahead for Refugees in Lithuania?
The refugee crisis in Lithuania today is small (but not insignificant). And, as we saw in 2021, the situation can change rapidly requiring urgent humanitarian intervention. Sienos Grupe remains a vital support network ensuring that even those in the smallest pockets of need have someone to turn to and will receive help and support.
The humanitarian response in Lithuania may not be as large-scale as in other parts of Europe, but every life affected by forced displacement matters. Whether providing food vouchers, legal aid, or simply a warm space for connection, organisations like Sienos Grupe are making a difference, one person at a time.
