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How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone? How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone?
(1 day later)
Almost 13 million people are believed to have fled their homes in Ukraine since the conflict began, according to the United Nations. Over 14 million people are believed to have fled their homes in Ukraine since the conflict began, according to the United Nations (UN).
More than six million have left for neighbouring countries and at least another 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself. More than six million have left for neighbouring countries, and eight million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.
However, some Ukrainians have now returned to areas which are no longer thought to be under threat of attack.
Where are Ukraine's refugees going?Where are Ukraine's refugees going?
Refugees are also crossing to neighbouring countries to the west, mostly Poland. Refugees are still crossing to neighbouring countries, especially those to the west.
The UN says that as of 17 May, 6.3 million people have left Ukraine: The UN says that as of 17 May, over 6.3 million people have left:
Poland has taken in 3,396,792 refugees Poland has taken in 3,418,077 refugees
Romania 930,341 Romania 937,082
Russia 863,086 Russia 875,597
Hungary 615,256 Hungary 620,846
Moldova 465,435 Moldova 466,406
Slovakia 426,605 Slovakia 429,705
Belarus 27,308Belarus 27,308
Some people have travelled from Moldova into Romania and so are included in both countries' totals. Some people travelled from Moldova into Romania and so are included in both countries' totals.
Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are part of the Schengen area, where there are no internal border controls.Poland, Hungary and Slovakia are part of the Schengen area, where there are no internal border controls.
This means many of those counted when they initially crossed into these countries may have since travelled to other places.This means many of those counted when they initially crossed into these countries may have since travelled to other places.
The Czech Republic said that as of 17 May, it had granted 346,770 emergency visas to Ukrainian refugees. The Czech Republic said that as of 18 May, it had granted 348,117 emergency visas to Ukrainian refugees.
Germany said that as of 14 May, more than 700,000 Ukrainians had arrived in the country, 40% of whom were children. As of 14 May, more than 700,000 Ukrainians had arrived in Germany, 40% of whom were children.
Some Ukrainians have travelled to Russia from the pro-Russian breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in the east. Others have been evacuated to Russia from war-torn cities such as Mariupol.Some Ukrainians have travelled to Russia from the pro-Russian breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in the east. Others have been evacuated to Russia from war-torn cities such as Mariupol.
President Vladimir Putin says Russian forces helped evacuate 140,000 civilians from Mariupol but insists no one was forced to go to Russia.President Vladimir Putin says Russian forces helped evacuate 140,000 civilians from Mariupol but insists no one was forced to go to Russia.
"We are not detaining them," he said in April.
However, volunteer groups such as Rubikus and Helping to Leave say they have helped hundreds of Ukrainians who ended up in Russia to travel onto other countries.However, volunteer groups such as Rubikus and Helping to Leave say they have helped hundreds of Ukrainians who ended up in Russia to travel onto other countries.
How are refugees leaving Ukraine?
Trains heading towards Ukraine's border have been packed, and there have been long queues of traffic on roads leading out of the country.
The UN estimates that at least 6.5 million people are displaced inside Ukraine
Refugees have been told they don't need all their official documents, but it is helpful if they can provide provide identification cards or passports, birth certificates of children travelling with them and and medical documentation.
To get refugee status, they need to be Ukrainian citizens or people legally living in Ukraine, such as foreign students.
There have been reports of people from African countries being prevented from leaving Ukraine.
What help are countries offering refugees?What help are countries offering refugees?
In countries bordering Ukraine, refugees can stay in reception centres if they can't stay with friends or relatives. They are given food and medical care, and information about onward travel.
The EU has granted Ukrainians who flee the war a blanket right to stay and work throughout its 27 member nations for up to three years.The EU has granted Ukrainians who flee the war a blanket right to stay and work throughout its 27 member nations for up to three years.
They can also receive social welfare and access to housing, medical treatment and schools. Refugees are housed in reception centres if they can't stay with friends or relatives. They are given food and medical care, and information about onward travel.
This video can not be played They are entitled to social welfare payments and access to housing, medical treatment and schools.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Poland, which has taken the highest number of refugees, and Moldova, which has the largest concentration of refugees by population, have both asked for international support to help fund their efforts.
Watch: The challenges of trying to raise a baby in war-torn Kyiv Hundreds of refugees were housed in this athletics centre in Moldova
The government of Poland, which has received the highest number of refugees, has said it will need more money than the EU is currently offering in order to host the number of people arriving there. How many people are returning to Ukraine?
Moldova, which has the largest concentration of refugees per capita, has also appealed for international help in dealing with the numbers arriving. The UN says that as of 17 May, 1.8 million Ukrainians have returned to Ukraine. Ukraine's border force says they are crossing back into the country at a rate of about 30,000 a day.
Hundreds of refugees are living in this athletics centre in Moldova This is primarily because areas of Ukraine such as the capital Kyiv which were threatened by Russian army advances at the start of the war are now considered safe.
Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, says the city's population is back to two-thirds of its pre-war level.
Where are people fleeing inside Ukraine?Where are people fleeing inside Ukraine?
The UN's 6.5 million figure was based on research carried out by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) between 9 and 16 March. The UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said at the start of May that over eight million people were internally displaced in Ukraine.
The actual total is likely to have increased in the subsequent weeks. The IOM said:
Of the 2,000 internally displaced people the IOM surveyed: 23% of refugees were from the Kharkiv region, 20% from Kyiv and 17% from the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine
nearly 30% had come from Kyiv, more than 36% had fled from the east of Ukraine and 20% had come from the north 27% had left their homes because they had been damaged or attacked in the war
nearly 40% were now in the west of Ukraine, with less than 3% in Kyiv
only 5% had left their homes in anticipation of the invasion, with the vast majority fleeing either at the start of the war or when it reached their area
The IOM estimates that more than half of the people who are internally displaced are women, and many are deemed particularly vulnerable because they are pregnant, have a disability or are a victim of violence.The IOM estimates that more than half of the people who are internally displaced are women, and many are deemed particularly vulnerable because they are pregnant, have a disability or are a victim of violence.
What is being done for refugees within Ukraine? The UN is working alongside other organisations to provide cash, food and other supplies to those affected.
The UN, which is working alongside other organisations to provide help to people in Ukraine, says it is offering humanitarian assistance "wherever necessary and possible". This includes: The UN estimates that about eight million people are displaced inside Ukraine
giving cash to people for basics like food and rent
delivering supplies from west to east, including food and tarpaulins for homes damaged by shelling
providing folding beds to people in bomb shelters
setting up reception and transit points for internally-displaced people
About 12 million people are also thought to be stranded or unable to leave areas affected by the fighting.
What is the UK doing to help Ukrainian refugees?What is the UK doing to help Ukrainian refugees?
The UK introduced a family visa scheme for Ukrainians who have an immediate or extended family member in the UK.The UK introduced a family visa scheme for Ukrainians who have an immediate or extended family member in the UK.
After the government was criticised for the speed and scale of its response, it also launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme to allow those without relatives in the UK to settle here. After the government response was criticised, it launched the Homes for Ukraine scheme to allow those without relatives in the UK to settle here.
Under this scheme, people in the UK can nominate an individual or family to stay with them rent-free for at least six months. The scheme lets people in the UK can nominate an individual or family to stay with them rent-free for at least six months.
Refugees who come via the scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years, and access healthcare, welfare and schools.Refugees who come via the scheme will be able to live and work in the UK for up to three years, and access healthcare, welfare and schools.
Applications are made online, and both hosts and refugees will be vetted. Hosts will receive £350 a month and there will be no cap on the numbers able to come to the UK. Applications are made online, and both hosts and refugees are vetted. Hosts receive £350 a month.
However, some families who have applied to be sponsors have complained that the system is too slow and complicated. However, many families who have applied to be sponsors have complained that the system is too slow and complicated.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has apologised for the "frustrating" delays.Home Secretary Priti Patel has apologised for the "frustrating" delays.
As of 11 May, 102,300 visas had been issued through both schemes, out of 132,900 applications. As of 17 May, 107,400 Ukrainian visas had been issued, out of 128,100 applications.
The BBC has found evidence that some men are exploiting the Homes for Ukraine scheme to contact vulnerable women.The BBC has found evidence that some men are exploiting the Homes for Ukraine scheme to contact vulnerable women.
A number of refugees who have arrived in the UK have also had to be rehoused after being placed in unsuitable accommodation.A number of refugees who have arrived in the UK have also had to be rehoused after being placed in unsuitable accommodation.
How can I offer a UK home to Ukrainian refugees?How can I offer a UK home to Ukrainian refugees?
Ukraine families angered by 'inhumane' visa delayUkraine families angered by 'inhumane' visa delay