The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has praised European countries welcoming people fleeing the war in Ukraine, whose numbers now surpass two million.
“The response by Europe has been remarkable,” Filippo Grandi said in a statement on Tuesday, while urging other nations to step up.
At the Polish/Ukrainian border I was impressed by the outpouring of solidarity by communities through Poland in support of refugees: many volunteers in action, and piles of donations everywhere, all effectively organized by border guards and local authorities. pic.twitter.com/QRW5rwXdV7
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) March 6, 2022
He added that a European Union (EU) temporary protection directive, announced last Thursday, “offers the refugees security and options, a chance for stability during a time of great upheaval.”
Heartened but saddened
Mr. Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, spent five days in the region where he met with refugees, humanitarian workers, local responders and governments.
Though heartened by the European response, he remains deeply saddened for Ukraine and its people.
“At the borders I saw an exodus of people, mostly women and children, along with older refugees and people with disabilities. They arrived shocked and deeply impacted by the violence and their arduous journeys to safety. Families have been senselessly ripped apart. Tragically, unless the war is stopped, the same will be true for many more,” he said.
Ukrainians have been streaming into neighbouring countries since the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February.
‘Outpouring of spontaneous solidarity’
The majority, more than 1.2 million, have headed to Poland. Others have crossed into Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and beyond.
His staff have been ramping up operations to meet ever increasing needs.
Mr. Grandi reported that UNHCR is supporting coordination of the humanitarian response. “Scores of experts and tens of millions of dollars of aid” have also been deployed to support governments with providing material and cash assistance, while protection teams have been reinforced to address the needs of women and children.
