Politics

UN: 2.5 million people have fled Ukraine

Geneva, Mar 11 (EFE).- Over 2.5 million people have been forced to flee from Ukraine since the Russian invasion began 15 days ago while a further 2 million people have become internally displaced, the United Nations said Friday.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned that 12.6 million people in Ukraine have been directly affected by Russia’s invasion.

“Millions forced to leave their homes by this senseless war,” the UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi tweeted.

The UN warned on Friday that refugees were dealing with freezing temperatures as a cold snap swept across eastern and central Europe this week.

“Access to conflict-affected communities in hard-hit areas like Mariupol and Kharkiv remains very restricted due to the ongoing military activities and increased presence of landmines, exacerbating humanitarian needs by the day,” the agency said.

Ukraine urgently needs basic supplies including food, water, medicines, blankets, mattresses, cash, building materials, generators and fuel.

The UN has stepped up operations in central and western Ukraine in response to a wave of refugees evacuating westwards in their attempts to escape the Russian invasion.

“We are also coordinating with the local authorities to improve the reception conditions at the international border crossing points where people are waiting in line for hours,” the agency added. EFE

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