(MENAFN) The European Union is grappling with an escalating influx of Ukrainian asylum seekers, with the number of registered individuals reaching a staggering 4.2 million, as disclosed by officials on Friday. According to data from the EU's statistics service, Eurostat, the figure has surged by nearly 32,000 or 0.8 percent as of late September. This surge has rendered these individuals eligible for various social benefits under the European Union's temporary protection scheme, with Germany and the Netherlands absorbing the bulk of this demographic shift.
While Germany has emerged as the primary destination for Ukrainian refugees, hosting close to 1.2 million people, neighboring Poland follows closely with 958,000, and the Czech Republic with 357,000. Notably, some European Union countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Poland, and Slovenia, have experienced a marginal decline in the number of new arrivals seeking benefits under the protection scheme.
An unexpected trend has also emerged, indicating that Russia has become a significant destination for Ukrainian refugees. Moscow's permanent representative to the United Nation, Vassily Nebenzia, reported that since February 2022, several Russian regions have welcomed over five million individuals from Ukraine and Donbass.
The European Union invoked the Temporary Protection Directive early in the conflict, granting Ukrainian citizens rights to free or subsidized housing, medical care, employment, and education within the bloc. However, variations in national responses are evident, with some European Union nations tightening their rules for Ukrainian refugees. Poland, for instance, implemented a policy allowing Ukrainians to reside in temporary housing free of charge for 120 days post-arrival since March. Meanwhile, in August, reports indicated that Prague had not only adjusted its rules for providing aid to Ukrainians but had also reduced government spending on relevant assistance by more than a third.
As the Ukrainian refugee crisis unfolds, the divergent responses within the European Union raise questions about the bloc's unified approach to addressing the humanitarian challenges posed by the conflict. The disparity in national policies highlights the need for coordinated efforts and a comprehensive strategy to ensure consistent support for those seeking refuge within the European Union.
MENAFN12112023000045015687ID1107413320
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.