for support

Publicēts: 9.03.2022

On EU support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and their host countries

 

The Commission outlines what support the EU is providing to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine, as well as what the EU is committing them to. In the wake of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine, Europe is helping people in solidarity and providing them with direct humanitarian aid, emergency civil protection, border support and a clear legal status that protects detainees from war refugees in the European Union.

Available help includes:

Humanitarian aid. According to Commission President Urzula von der Leiena, at least EUR 500 million from the EU budget is being spent on mitigating the tragic humanitarian consequences of the war, both inside and outside Ukraine. Of this amount, EUR 90 million is already allocated to humanitarian aid - of which EUR 85 million to Ukraine and EUR 5 million to Moldova - to provide water, health care, housing and basic needs for the most vulnerable. In response to the emergency, certain items, including vehicles, medical kits, tents, blankets and sleeping bags, have already been provided to Ukraine on an unprecedented scale to ensure the functioning of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in Ukraine. Assistance has also been provided to Ukraine's neighbors Moldova, Poland and Slovakia to support all people fleeing the war.

Support for border management. The Commission has issued operational guidelines aimed at helping Member States' border guards to effectively manage the flow of migrants at the border with Ukraine and reduce waiting times, while maintaining a high level of security. EU agencies also provide additional staff and expertise to support Member States, such as the deployment of 49 Frontex staff on the EU-Ukraine and Moldova-Ukraine borders, and the deployment of 162 staff in Romania. Moldova will also receive an additional EUR 15 million to help it manage the situation.
Protection of fugitives and support for reception capacity. In record time, the EU unanimously agreed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to provide clarity and security for people in difficulty by offering welfare support, access to the labor market and education. This approach is based on solidarity between Member States. The Commission will coordinate a "Solidarity Platform" where Member States will be able to exchange information on reception capacities. In addition, Member States will be able to receive significant additional resources from the Home Affairs Funds 2021-2027 to ensure adequate reception centers and efficient asylum procedures. year. The Commission is also proposing to extend the implementation period for the funds available to Member States from the Home Affairs Funds 2014-2020. year. This would provide additional support of around € 420 million. The Commission will publish information on the Europa website to help citizens and the private sector ensure that the support they provide to refugees can be provided through trusted organizations and meets needs.Cohesion policy action in support of refugees in Europe. The Commission also adopts a legislative proposal on "Cohesion Action in Support of Refugees in Europe" (CARE). This will provide additional flexibility to fund various measures to support people fleeing Ukraine from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Support Fund for the Most Deprived (EAFRD). For example, these cohesion funds can be used to invest in education, employment, housing, health and childcare services and, in the case of the EAFRD, to provide basic material assistance such as food and clothing. In order to continue to support Member States, the co-financing rate of 100%, which was exceptionally applied in response to a pandemic, will apply for another year. In addition, some € 10 billion is already available from the 2022 initiative for the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and European Territories (REACT-EU), which can also be used to fund actions to support people fleeing Ukraine.
More information, useful links, etc .: Ukraine: EU strengthens solidarity with people fleeing war (europa.eu)