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Ukraine crisis: How many refugees and where might they go? | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
More than half a million civilians have fled Ukraine, according to the UN. | |
The European Union (EU) estimates that up to four million people may try to leave the country because of the Russian invasion. | |
The bloc has relaxed its rules on refugees and says its member states will welcome the refugees with "open arms". | The bloc has relaxed its rules on refugees and says its member states will welcome the refugees with "open arms". |
Which countries are Ukraine's refugees fleeing to? | Which countries are Ukraine's refugees fleeing to? |
Refugees are crossing the borders to neighbouring countries to the west, such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova. | Refugees are crossing the borders to neighbouring countries to the west, such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova. |
On Monday, the UN said that more than 500,000 Ukrainians had entered these countries. | |
Poland has so far taken in over 280,000 refugees, according to the UN. The Polish government says a further 50,000 are arriving every day. | Poland has so far taken in over 280,000 refugees, according to the UN. The Polish government says a further 50,000 are arriving every day. |
Poland is also preparing a medical train to transport wounded Ukrainians, and has drawn up a list of 1,230 hospitals to send them to. | |
More than one million Ukrainians have settled in Poland in recent years, especially since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea | |
In terms of other countries, the UN says as of Sunday evening: | In terms of other countries, the UN says as of Sunday evening: |
Hungary had taken 71,158 | Hungary had taken 71,158 |
Romania 43,184 | Romania 43,184 |
Moldova 41,525 | Moldova 41,525 |
Slovakia 17,648 | Slovakia 17,648 |
Slovakia says it is now accepting over 10,000 refugees a day. | Slovakia says it is now accepting over 10,000 refugees a day. |
Refugees are being told they do not need documents to get into neighbouring countries, but should preferably have their internal or foreign travel passports, birth certificates of children travelling with them and medical documentation. | Refugees are being told they do not need documents to get into neighbouring countries, but should preferably have their internal or foreign travel passports, birth certificates of children travelling with them and medical documentation. |
To get refugee status, they need to be Ukrainian citizens or people legally living in Ukraine, such as foreign students. | To get refugee status, they need to be Ukrainian citizens or people legally living in Ukraine, such as foreign students. |
However, many people have been waiting for days to cross at some border points in queues up to 15km (10 miles) long, and many have not been able to board trains taking them out of Ukrainian cities. | However, many people have been waiting for days to cross at some border points in queues up to 15km (10 miles) long, and many have not been able to board trains taking them out of Ukrainian cities. |
What help are countries providing? | What help are countries providing? |
In Poland and the other countries bordering Ukraine, refugees can stay in reception centres if they do not have friends or relatives to stay with. They are given food and medical care. | |
In Hungary and Romania, refugees are being given cash allowances for food and clothing. Children are being given places in local schools. | In Hungary and Romania, refugees are being given cash allowances for food and clothing. Children are being given places in local schools. |
Countries used to have time limits on how long refugees could spend in reception centres, but most are saying they are likely to waive them and that Ukrainians can stay in them for as long as they need to. | Countries used to have time limits on how long refugees could spend in reception centres, but most are saying they are likely to waive them and that Ukrainians can stay in them for as long as they need to. |
The Czech Republic has activated its Migration Wave Preparedness Plan. This will help refugees apply for a special type of visa through a simplified procedure in order to remain, if needed. | |
What is the UK doing for Ukrainian refugees? | |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK could take in 200,000 Ukrainian refugees, as the government extends its scheme to help those fleeing the war. | |
Businesses will also be able to sponsor a Ukrainian to come to the country. The Home Office is expected to outline more details shortly. | |
Previously, the government had said Ukrainians could only come to the UK if they had relatives who are British nationals. | |
Under "temporary visa concessions" announced on 27 February, Ukrainians can apply for a free family migration visa if their British national family member is: | |
a spouse or civil partner | a spouse or civil partner |
an unmarried partner (they must have been living together in a relationship for at least two years) | |
a parent, if the individual living in Ukraine is under the age of 18 | |
a child under the age of 18 | |
an adult relative they provide care for, who they live with due to a medical condition | |
The visa processing centre in Kyiv is currently closed, but the office in the western city of Lviv is open, and people can also apply from centres in nearby countries. | |
The government had been criticised by the Labour party and others for not doing more to help. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted a call for a much broader "sanctuary route". | |
Is the UK doing enough to help refugees? | |
Some people have walked for days to reach the borders, such as this Indian man who was studying in Ukraine | Some people have walked for days to reach the borders, such as this Indian man who was studying in Ukraine |
How many Ukrainians are internally displaced? | How many Ukrainians are internally displaced? |
The UN estimates there are now at least 160,000 people in Ukraine who have fled the war and are displaced within their own country. | |
The EU believes that figure could climb to 7m, and that 18m Ukrainians will be affected by the war. | The EU believes that figure could climb to 7m, and that 18m Ukrainians will be affected by the war. |
"Even though these are very rough estimates," said European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic. "The figures are huge, and we have to prepare for this kind of emergency, which is of historical proportions." | |
Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are now living in reception centres in East European countries | Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are now living in reception centres in East European countries |
What rights do the refugees have? | What rights do the refugees have? |
The EU is preparing to grant Ukrainians who flee the war a blanket right to stay and work throughout the 27 nations for up to three years, according to EU and French officials. They would also receive social welfare and access to housing, medical treatment and schooling for children. | |
This is in line with the EU's temporary protection directive for refugees, drawn up after the 1990s war in the Balkans, but never used until now. | |
The normal rules for refugees have been lifted to let Ukrainians settle where they like in the EU. | The normal rules for refugees have been lifted to let Ukrainians settle where they like in the EU. |