RIGA, May 24 (LETA) - A large number of Ukrainian refugees are no longer provided with free food as of today, the Latvian Hotel and Restaurant Association said in a statement.

"As of May 24, most Ukrainian war refugees in Latvia - mainly women with children, large families, pregnant women and pensioners - will not be provided free meals that they were supposed to receive for a period of 90 days, and neither the state nor local authorities have informed the refugees thereof," emphasizes the association.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association points out that on March 3, Saeima passed amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians, which stipulated that the state would provide accommodation and catering services to Ukrainian refugees for up to 90 days after they arrive in Latvia. Some of them are staying at tourist accommodation establishments.

On May 20, tourist accommodation establishments were informed that, as of May 23, the state will no longer pay for meals provided to Ukrainian refugees pursuant to new amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians, which stipulate that the state covers the cost of meals provided to Ukrainian refugees only for the first 30 days.

According to the Hotel and Restaurant Association, "most of the Ukrainian war refugees have not been able to find a job to provide for themselves and their children." These people were promised that they would be provided free meals for 90 days after arriving in Latvia, but now they will have to take care of the meals themselves.