Nearly 100,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Poland since the start of the Russian offensive on Thursday February 24. According to our special correspondent present at the border, the country is facing an unprecedented influx of refugees.
According to Polish Deputy Interior Minister Pawel Szefernaker, 90% of these refugees have somewhere to go in Poland, to friends or relatives, while the others benefit from the assistance of nine reception centers set up in close to the border, where they are offered meals, medical assistance if needed, a place to rest and information on what to do.
Polish border guard chief Tomasz Praga said at the same press conference that Friday alone saw nearly 50,000 Ukrainians arrive in Poland.
nearly 116,000 Ukrainians fled to neighboring countries
Before the start of the Russian attack, Poland already had about one and a half million Ukrainians on its territory, the vast majority of whom came to work in this EU member country with its rapidly growing economy. The government and civil society have expressed strong support for Ukraine and their intention to welcome refugees, while most Ukrainians fleeing the conflict appear to be opting for Poland.
According to a tweet Saturday from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, nearly 116,000 Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries since February 24, mostly to Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania. “Their number is increasing,” the UN agency said.