Brussels, Belgium, 26 February 2022 — As the crisis in Ukraine escalates, as many as 100,000 people have already been displaced within the country and reports suggest that many are still trying to leave major cities. Meanwhile, at least 50,000 have crossed into neighbouring European countries including Poland, Romania and Moldova.
So far states including Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic have made encouraging commitments to welcome Ukrainians in need of protection. Others further afield such as Ireland, Germany and Portugal have offered to ease safe passage and provide humanitarian support to Ukraine and its neighbours. In the coming days we will need to see concrete actions to transform these commitments into reality. Yet, still more needs to be done.
The EU has estimated that a worst case scenario could see up to a million people forced to move to Europe, while the US warns that as many as five million people could be displaced. In displacement contexts, women and girls are often the most adversely affected and bear the brunt of crises. The situation in Ukraine is no different - women and girls, especially those traveling alone, could be at risk of exploitation and abuse.
The IRC is on the ground in neighbouring Poland - home to a large Ukrainian population - assessing the situation and the humanitarian needs as people start to flee into the country. We are ready to support the needs of affected populations as needed.
Harlem Desir, IRC Senior Vice President, Europe says:
"It is devastating that so many people in Ukraine are being forced to flee their homes following Russia’s invasion of the country. For many, this is not for the first time. While the situation is rapidly evolving and there are a great deal of unknowns, one thing is crystal clear: Europe needs to be prepared to receive people fleeing conflict.
"At this pivotal moment, all European states must be ready to support refugees fleeing Ukraine. The first priority must be to cater for people’s immediate needs - scaling up capacity to guarantee dignified reception conditions, providing material needs such as food and water, and access to vital services like medical and psychosocial support. Civil society and NGOs like the IRC are on the ground in the region, ready to help. However, European countries must share responsibility for hosting and supporting Ukrainian asylum seekers by securing EU-wide recognition of their urgent protection needs, and ensuring that all new arrivals are given a predictable and secure legal status.
"This approach must apply to everyone forced to flee the Ukraine, regardless of their citizenship or nationality. Europe must not just offer protection to Ukrainian nationals who have visa-free access to the EU, but all those who face grave dangers as conflict escalates - including refugees from other regions, and the several hundred Afghans evacuated to the country in recent months.
"Finally, most people forced to flee their homes are likely to be displaced internally, within Ukraine. The EU must continue to offer assistance to the country in order to support displaced people within its borders, and address the complex humanitarian needs that may arise as this conflict unfolds."
This crisis at Europe’s borders must be a turning point. It’s time for EU states to deliver on their asylum obligations and forge a new, humane and coordinated system that is rooted in solidarity and responsibility-sharing. The people of Ukraine are relying on EU leaders to live up to their word and provide a lifeline and effective access to protection. Failure to do so will not only risk a humanitarian catastrophe, but greater instability and chaos across Europe.