by Marek Strzelecki and Jason Hovet
MEDYKA, Poland/PRAGUE, March 11 (Reuters) – The mobilization of the populations of the countries bordering Ukraine in favor of Ukrainian refugees is hampered by the lack of housing and means, while the number of exiles has exceeded 2 ,5000000.
Aid in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Moldova is mainly provided by citizens who have volunteered to transport, feed or house displaced people, with the support of non-governmental organizations and local authorities.
But, as the war in Ukraine enters its third week and the number of refugees continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide sufficient aid.
In Krakow, Poland’s second city, an NGO speaks of a “tragic” situation at the station.
“We are calling many places, but the only answer is: there are no more beds. Government intervention is necessary!”, wrote on Twitter the Fundacja Brata Alberta, an organization that usually takes care of people. suffering from a mental handicap.
In Hrubieszow, a small Polish town near the Ukrainian border, Mayor Marta Majewska said she had spent the entire crisis reserve, or 100,000 zlotys (20,847 euros), as well as 170,000 zlotys from the provincial budget, to run a center for reception for displaced persons.
10% OF THE POPULATION OF WARSAW
Poland is the first country of destination for civilians fleeing the war, presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarizing and “denazifying” the neighboring country.
According to the Polish border guard, 1.5 million people have entered Poland since Russia launched its invasion on February 24.
In Warsaw, refugees now make up 10% of the city’s population, according to Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.
In Przemysl, near Poland’s busiest border crossing, Deputy Mayor Boguslaw Swiezy says he has seen a drop in the number of volunteers, some of whom are students and others who are on leave from work.
To meet the needs of the arrivals, the Polish government is preparing a fund of 1.6 billion euros and has mobilized the police, fire brigade and other services for the distribution of aid.
In Romania, a convention center in Bucharest and an indoor stadium have been transformed into visitor centres; Hungary is studying the possibility of converting public buildings in Budapest into accommodation centers and Prague has launched an appeal to the population and hoteliers to welcome refugees.
To date, 365,000 refugees have been received in Romania, 219,000 in Hungary, 176,000 in Slovakia, and some 200,000 in the Czech Republic (which has no common border with Ukraine), according to official data from the countries. (Reporting by Marek Strzelecki and Jason Hovet, with contributions from Mari Saito in Medyka, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Luiza Ilie in Bucharest, Anita Komuves and Krisztina Than in Budapest, and Jason Hovet in Prague; written by Gwladys Fouche; French version Diana Mandiá, edited by Sophie Louet)