Russia’s indiscriminate attack on Ukraine it is already causing the first humanitarian consequences. Several international organizations and non-governmental organizations are already warning of the hundreds of thousands of people who will have to flee the territory due to the Russian intervention.
The United Nations is already preparing for an extraordinary flow of between one and five million Ukrainian refugees that they could escape the country. Both Unicef and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, estimate that between one and three million will flee to neighboring Poland.
Only in 24 hours 100,000 people have had to leave their homes, according to the latest figures from Acnur. According to its spokesman, Shabia Mantoo, the UN agency has reinforced its operations in Ukraine and neighboring countries, and could increase its personnel in the area if the conflict continues to escalate.
Previously, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, called on Ukraine’s neighboring countries to “keep their borders open to those seeking safety and protection”, after Ukrainian citizens have already sought refuge in Romania, Hungary or Slovakia.
According to the Ukrainian government, since the beginning of the crisis in Crimea and Donbas in 2014, there have been 1.5 million internally displaced persons in the country.
7.5 million children at risk
At least 7.5 million under 18 years are currently in danger, according to data from the NGO Save the Children. In eastern Ukraine, more than 400,000 children live in areas at high risk of suffering the direct effects of the presence of soldiers and artillery, such as being injured or killed by firearms, landmines and explosives, or being displaced from their homes. .
there is already at least 100,000 of these children who have abandoned their homes since Monday, and are currently sheltering with friends in often overcrowded conditions.
New York, Madrid and Valencia offer refuge
The Governor of New York, Kathy Hochulhas offered its status as a refuge for displaced Ukrainians in recent hours, amid calls from host organizations to the US government to offer shelter to those fleeing the war.
“New York is ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees,” Hochul said in a statement, recalling that the state is home to the largest Ukrainian-origin population in the United States. The Democratic governor added that her team is in contact with the federal government and that New Yorkers “will be prepared to accept and support those who seek refuge” in the state.
For his part, the mayor of Madrid, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeidahas offered all the resources available to the Consistory “to welcome the Ukrainian refugees who are victims of the Russian invasion”.
Also the mayor of ValenciaJoan Ribó, has offered this Friday the collaboration of the City Council to the state and regional governments to welcome people who flee from Ukraine after the invasion of Russia.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
