European countries begin receiving Ukrainian refugees

BRUSSELS - As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates and intensifies, Ukrainians are fleeing in increasing numbers to neighboring countries.

Governments across Europe are opening up humanitarian channels to facilitate an orderly evacuation of refugees and their settlement.

REFUGEES FLOOD ACROSS BORDERS

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Monday that more than half a million people have already fled Ukraine to Poland, Romania, Hungary and other neighboring countries.

Poland currently appears to be the destination of choice for most of them. The Polish Border Guard reported over 115,000 arrivals since Feb 24.

Romanian government spokesman Dan Carbunaru said on Sunday that since last Thursday, more than 47,000 Ukrainian citizens had entered Romania. Of them, 22,785 left for Schengen countries shortly after entry. There were also 102 applications for refugee status.

The Romanian government department has said that Ukrainian citizens entering Romania would be exempted from COVID-19 quarantine.

By Saturday midnight, more than 62,000 Ukrainian refugees had entered Hungary, the country's police said. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that his country will play a role in mitigating the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine.

NEW POLICIES FOR HELP

Poland has set up a hotline and eight reception centers along its border with Ukraine. "A hot meal, a drink, basic medical assistance and a place to rest" are provided there, according to the government.

Raed Arafat, head of the Department of Emergency Situations of Romania's Ministry of Internal Affairs, said on Sunday that his country can accept 400,000 refugees, but the number of asylum seekers remains low for now.

Hungary will also open a humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian and third-country citizens. "We are going to let them enter without a visa and take them to the nearest international airport," Szijjarto said.

Last Thursday, Hungary's government adopted a decree according to which refugees from Ukraine would receive temporary protection.

Slovakia will support people who shelter refugees from Ukraine with financial aid to help accommodate the thousands fleeing their country, Finance Minister Igor Matovic said on Saturday.

Slovak households and institutions will receive 200 euros ($225) a month for an adult and 100 euros ($112) a month for a child they accommodate.

He also said that the country will provide temporary refugee status with a work permit, health insurance and entitlement to benefits in material need.

Croatia will receive as many Ukrainian refugees as needed, said Damir Trut, director of the Civil Protection Directorate at the country's Interior Ministry, on Sunday.

He said that to date 63 Ukrainian refugees had arrived in Croatia, adding that his country had already prepared about 2,000 beds for them, but more will be added if needed.

Austria, which has traditionally been reluctant to accept refugees, said that Ukrainian citizens will now be allowed to stay in Austria for 180 days without a visa.

REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COORDINATION

The member states of the European Union (EU) are already hosting over 300,000 Ukrainian refugees, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Sunday, adding that the 27-member bloc should "prepare for millions."

The United Nations said that more than 160,000 people have reportedly been internally displaced in Ukraine.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has appointed Amin Awad of Sudan as assistant secretary general to serve as UN crisis coordinator for Ukraine.

Martin Griffiths, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said on Friday that his organization planned to raise more than one billion US dollars in the next three months for humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

In the US, the administration of President Joe Biden is also facing calls to take in Ukrainian refugees.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Thursday that the president was "certainly prepared" to do so, but Washington believes that many refugees would want to go to European countries.

She did not answer when asked by reporters whether the US administration would offer Ukrainian students, workers and others currently staying in the US temporary residency protection to ensure that they would not be deported when their visas expire.