UN issued warning about a “humanitarian crisis” in Ukraine

The UN stated on Thursday that the refugee flight from Ukraine was a “major humanitarian disaster” that was worsening by the second, after another 40,000 people fled the nation in the previous 24 hours.

Over the last week, the number of people streaming over western borders to escape Russia’s attack on Ukraine has stabilised at roughly 40,000 per day.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that 4,059,105 Ukrainians have fled over the country’s borders since the February 24 invasion, an increase of 39,818 from Wednesday’s figures, which saw the four million threshold exceeded.

“We are dealing with the realities of a tremendous humanitarian catastrophe that is escalating by the second,” UNHCR stated, stressing the millions displaced within Ukraine as well as the 13 million expected to be trapped or unable to escape impacted regions.

Women and children make up 90% of those who have fled. Half of those are minors. Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are eligible for military service and are not permitted to leave the country.

According to UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than half of the country’s estimated 7.5 million children have been displaced, 2.5 million internally and two million internationally.

“As the number of children fleeing their homes rises, we must remember that each and every one of them requires protection, education, safety, and assistance,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in addition to Ukrainian refugees, more than 204,000 non-Ukrainians who lived, studied, or worked in the country have departed.

Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said it was critical to accept “those who have fled, without prejudice.”

According to an IOM assessment, 6.48 million persons were expected to be internally displaced inside Ukraine as of March 16.

“They are more than just numbers. They are people whose lives have been turned upside down by the war “According to the IOM.

Ukraine had a population of 37 million in the territories under government control before the Russian invasion five weeks ago, omitting Russia-annexed Crimea and pro-Russian rebel provinces in the east.

According to UNHCR, the following is a breakdown of the number of Ukrainian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries.

– Poland –

Almost six out of ten Ukrainian migrants have crossed into Poland, totaling 2,362,044 so far.

According to UNICEF, almost 1.1 million children have arrived in Poland.

Many persons who enter Ukraine’s western neighbours continue on to other countries in Europe’s Schengen open-borders zone.

– Romania –

A total of 616,592 Ukrainians have entered the EU member state, with a considerable number crossing from Moldova, which is sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine.

The great majority are said to have emigrated to other nations.

– Moldova –

The Moldovan border is the closest to Odessa, a large port city.

388,837 Ukrainians have walked into the non-EU country, which is one of the poorest in Europe.

– Hungary –

368,807 Ukrainians have entered the country.

– Russia –

An additional 350,632 refugees have sought safety in Russia.

In addition, between February 21 and 23, 113,000 individuals walked into Russia from the separatist-held pro-Russian territories of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine.

– Slovakia –

A total of 283,824 persons have entered Slovakia through Ukraine’s shortest border.

– Belarus –

11,821 more migrants have made their way north to Russia’s close ally Belarus.