AFP: More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine

World

Published: 2022-03-04 20:50

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 15:17


AFP: More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine
AFP: More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine

More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian military operation, according to the latest United Nations count Friday, as reported by AFP. 

- 1,209,976 refugees -

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees counted 1,209,976 refugees, according to its website dedicated to the issue at 11:00 GMT. The number increased from the last census on Thursday by 171,000 refugees.

The authorities and the United Nations expect the influx of refugees to intensify, while the Russian military appears to be focusing its efforts on major Ukrainian cities.

On Friday, the United Nations welcomed "reports that the two parties have agreed to facilitate the safe passage of civilians out of combat zones."

The United Nations was not officially notified until Friday morning of this agreement.

More than 37 million people live in the territory controlled by Kyiv - which does not include the Russian-annexed Crimea and the separatist-controlled areas in the east of the country.

UNHCR tries to avoid counting refugees twice, that is, when they leave the country and after arriving elsewhere in Europe or even outside.

- Poland -

Poland, which supports the Ukrainian authorities, is hosting by far the highest number of refugees since the start of the military operation.

In total, there are 649,903 refugees in Poland according to UNHCR statistics, an increase of 101,921 refugees since Thursday. These represent 54.2 percent of the total number of refugees that were counted.

According to figures released by the Polish border guards on Friday, a total of 624,500 people fled from Ukraine to Poland.

Before this crisis, about 1.5 million Ukrainians lived in Poland, most of whom emigrated to work in the European Union member country.

- Hungary -

Hungary hosts 144,738 refugees, or 12 percent of the total. Their number has increased by about 12,000 since the previous day, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The country has five border posts with Ukraine and several border towns such as Zahoni, which have converted public buildings into relief centers where Hungarian civilians come to provide food or help.

- Moldova -

The number of refugees in Moldova increased to 103,254, or 9.2 percent of their total number.

The representative of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Moldova indicated Friday during a press conference that some refugees continue their journey to Romania and Hungary, often to join relatives.

- Slovakia -

Some 90,329 people have fled Ukraine to Slovakia, or 7.5 percent of the total, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

- Romania -

UNHCR counted 57,194 Ukrainian refugees in Romania, about 4.7 percent of the total.

Two refugee camps have been established, one in Seghetto Marmatie and the other in Seret.

- Other European countries -

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 110,876 people (9.2 percent of the total) continued their journey after crossing the Ukrainian border towards other European countries.

- Russia -

About 53,300 people have also sought refuge in Russia, or 4.4 percent of the total.