Ukrainian refugees in the attention of international organizations

Romania will host a centre for the coordination of international aid to Ukraine. The EU will allocate 500 million euro humanitarian assistance to help Ukraine and refugees fleeing the war with Russia.

Daniela Budu, 04.03.2022, 14:00

Romania will set up a civil protection center in the country to distribute humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Thus, humanitarian aid will be collected and delivered to the most affected areas in the neighboring country. Bucharest will also access EU funds for the management of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, to be granted under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Integrated Border Management Fund. The announcement was made by President Klaus Iohannis, who welcomed on Thursday in Bucharest the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Klaus Iohannis: “It is a logistical hub for humanitarian aid set up under the umbrella of the RescEU programme, so under the umbrella of European humanitarian aid. Romania will host this hub and will have to carry out most tasks. This hub will be built progressively, stating with a centre that collects humanitarian aid and will keep developing to a big and sophisticated hub that will involve all actors needed in granting humanitarian aid. “

Romania is an example of solidarity in Europe, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. She also said: “Romanians have given such a moving example to the world. As the war started, Romanians were rushing in droves to the Vama Siret crossing point to welcome refugees with food, water, blankets and baby milk. People are opening their homes for families. They are organising collections and fund-raising on social media. Romania has really stepped up to welcome the refugees and I really thank you for that. But Romania is not only welcoming the refugees, it is also helping their neighbors, like Moldova. (…) You are a shining example of European solidarity and I really want to commend and thank you for that. “

According to the United Nations, at least 1 million Ukrainians fled war and crossed the border into Romania in seven days alone, and the country has offered many of them food and shelter. The Bucharest authorities have announced that more than 1,400 Ukrainian citizens have applied for asylum in Romania since the start of the conflict more than a week ago.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi who traveled to Bucharest on Thursday, commended Romanian authorities for their quick reaction and efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. He said it is high time for guns to be silenced so that humanitarian aid can save lives also inside Ukraine. We remind you that the UN General Assembly has adopted earlier this week, by an overwhelming majority, a resolution asking Russia to immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and spared and safe access must be granted to the personnel used for humanitarian relief operations, Filippo Grandi said, warning that not doing so will only increase human sufferance. (EE)