The cantons are putting in place plans to welcome Ukrainian refugees. So far nearly a thousand have arrived – mainly women and children.
The government is preparing for three types of arrival – those who can stay with friends and family. These who know people in Switzerland, but there’s no space to accommodate them – and those who know no one.
The State Secretariat for Migration says it’s preparing for a 1,000 a week to arrive.
As Switzerland is part of the Schengen zone – refugees will be distributed amongst other countries and then the Confederation will allocate a number to each canton, based on its population.
Many cantons say they are preparing for the arrivals and are making shelters available.