Poland issues stark warning over Ukrainian refugees
Date
7/28/2024 6:42:19 AM
(MENAFN) A senior official from the Polish Interior Ministry has issued a stark warning, indicating that Poland must prepare for a potential surge in Ukrainian refugees in the coming autumn and winter months. The prediction stems from ongoing conflict dynamics in Ukraine and concerns over the approaching colder weather.
Poland currently hosts the second-largest number of Ukrainian refugees in the European Union, following Germany. According to Eurostat data from late May, over 953,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought shelter in Poland, highlighting the country's significant role in accommodating those fleeing the conflict.
Dariusz Marczynski, Director of the Department of Population Protection and Crisis Management at Poland's Interior Ministry, conveyed the urgency during a parliamentary meeting on migration, emphasizing the need for readiness to handle a temporary increase in refugee numbers. He specifically pointed to Russia's military actions targeting energy, heating, and transport infrastructure in Ukraine as a driving factor behind the anticipated migration spike.
The situation in Ukraine has been compounded by severe challenges in its energy sector, exacerbated by a recent heatwave that led to prolonged blackouts. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has previously highlighted that 70 percent of Ukraine's power generation capacity has been damaged, raising concerns about worsening conditions as winter approaches.
Despite Russia's assertions that its military operations only target military objectives and related infrastructure, the humanitarian impact on civilians and critical services like energy remains severe. International observers continue to monitor the situation closely, as efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and stabilize the region intensify.
Poland's proactive stance in preparing for increased refugee flows underscores the ongoing humanitarian imperative and the need for coordinated European responses to support countries at the forefront of refugee reception and assistance. As the conflict persists and winter nears, the resilience and capacity of countries like Poland to manage humanitarian challenges will be crucial in shaping the region's stability and recovery efforts.
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