From Chaos to Coordination: The Evolution of Refugee Support in Slovakia Post-Ukraine Invasion
摘要
This chapter examines the reception and integration of Ukrainian displaced persons in Slovakia, with a focus on language rights and interpreting services. Utilising a methodology that analyses the evolving institutional framework from February 2022 through 2024, the chapter outlines the contributions of governmental and non-governmental organisations, along with universities, in providing public service interpreting (PSI). It details initiatives for both impromptu and certified interpreter training, which responded to the growing demand for Ukrainian language support. This surge exposed significant gaps in Slovakia’s PSI framework, particularly within legal and administrative contexts. Drawing from their experiences throughout this process, the authors propose the establishment of permanent structures and the formal recognition of public service interpreting. This proposal aims to enhance Slovakia’s preparedness for future humanitarian challenges and offers valuable insights into effective refugee support systems in rapidly changing contexts.