UNHCR: 660 000 refugees fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in past six days
About 660 000 refugees have now fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries in the past six days, according to the latest government data compiled by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said on March 1.
“At this rate, the situation looks set to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century, and UNHCR is mobilising resources to respond as quickly and effectively as possible,” Mantoo said.
All neighbouring countries have to date commendably kept their borders open for refugees fleeing Ukraine, the agency said.
Most have fled to Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, while others have moved towards various other European countries.
We are also aware that a sizeable number has moved to the Russian Federation, the UNHCR said.
National authorities are assuming responsibility for the registration, reception, accommodation and protection of these refugees.
“We have seen tremendous solidarity and hospitality from the countries receiving refugees, including from the authorities and local communities,” the agency said.
“UNHCR urges governments to continue to maintain access to territory for all those fleeing: Ukrainians, and third country nationals living in Ukraine, who are now forced to escape the violence. We stress that there must be no discrimination against any person or group.”
UNHCR has a long-standing presence in the region, including in Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania, and is coordinating the refugee response with other UN agencies and NGO partners, in support of national authorities, it said.
“We are reinforcing our operations by urgently sending more resources, staff and relief items to deploy in the region while preparing to provide cash assistance via cards as needed.”
UNHCR child welfare and protection specialists are also ready to support national authorities.
The statement said that in Poland, UNHCR field staff report miles of queues at the border on the Ukrainian side.
Those who crossed the border said that they had been waiting up to 60 hours.
Most arrivals are women and children from all parts of Ukraine.
Temperatures are freezing and many have reported spending days on the road waiting to cross.
In Hungary, UNHCR is present at the border, assessing the number of refugees, and is ready to scale up its operational support to the government.
Arrivals are steady and waiting times vary. On arrival, following screening and registration, Ukrainians and other nationalities are guided to assembly points where they can apply for asylum and are granted temporary documentation.
Support is being provided by municipalities, humanitarian actors, and members of the community.
The UNHCR said that in Romania, there are queues of up to 20 hours to enter the country.
National authorities are managing accommodation and transport – new arrivals are being moved from the border to reception centres or other locations.
Local communities are generously helping with transport and accommodation, while private companies are paying for hotels.
Volunteers are providing interpretation services and other forms of practical support.
“UNHCR and partners have established a presence at all main border points – we are currently deployed at Siret and Isaccea,” the agency said.
“We are part of the government-led task force that is coordinating needs and support. We are providing new arrivals with information on asylum procedures, and, through partners, are offering legal advice and psychological support.
“We have also established a 24/7 emergency hotline and online help pages for refugees in Ukrainian.”
In Moldova, it is still taking 24 hours to cover the 60-odd kilometres between Odessa and the border with Moldova, the UNHCR said.
New arrivals are being accommodated in temporary reception centres and additional sites are being identified.
Some have found their own accommodation or are being hosted by local communities.
UNHCR is providing support to enhance reception capacity and is distributing essential relief items, including blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene items.
An airlift from Dubai is due to arrive on March 2 with more supplies.
UNHCR’s partners are present at various Moldovan border crossings, providing counselling to newly arrived refugees.
In Slovakia, since February 24, UNHCR has regularly visited four out of five main border crossing points.
Arrivals to Slovakia are lower but the government is maintaining an open and welcoming policy towards refugees, and has rapidly changed asylum laws to help fast-track asylum procedures, the UNHCR said.
Financial and material support is also being provided by local communities, who are supporting refugees with food and hygiene items, offers of free transport, and accommodation. Local municipalities and villages are also creating temporary shelters for refugees.
The UNHCR said that it is also ramping up its response in Ukraine to help displaced and conflict affected people.
“But the volatile situation, security concerns, lack of safe access for humanitarian workers and movement restrictions are posing major challenges for aid workers, including UNHCR staff.”
The UNHCR said that it continues to deliver when safe to do so, providing some assistance and engaging in protection activities like working with internally displaced community leaders to assess humanitarian needs and identify safe sites where IDPs can be received.
UNHCR is also preparing to deliver assistance to internally displaced people in western Ukraine where humanitarian access is easier and is also strengthening nationwide hotlines to provide critical protection information to displaced civilians.
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(Photo: Refugees entering Poland from Ukraine at the Medyka border crossing point. © UNHCR/Chris Melzer)
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