Ukrainian refugee crisis is fastest growing in Europe since WW II: UNHCR

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has termed the refugee crisis in Ukraine as the fastest-growing refugee crisis faced by Europe since the Second World War. As per the UN group, roughly 15 lakh refugees from Ukraine crossed over to neighbouring countries for safety, security, and shelter in a span of 10 days.

In a tweet, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi wrote, “more than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighbouring countries in 10 days—the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.”

The UN group has collected data from many neighbouring countries to establish the fact. As per the data shared by Poland’s Border Guards (PBG), to UNHCR, on Saturday only more than 1,25,000 people crossed over to the country, while the total figure of refugees entering Poland stands roughly around 9 lakh. The number of people crossing over to neighbouring countries is growing with every passing day.

Many experts and analysts argue that as it looks certain that the conflict will be prolonged, the refugee crisis might increase to unimaginable magnitude. Western media reports quoted a senior Poland official as saying “it is likely that the number of refugees will cross three million within one week as the battle is now happening in densely populated areas.”

Since the beginning of the conflict, all the border crossings have seen a huge influx of refugees with the Medyka border crossing on Poland’s side said to be the busiest as half of the refugees entered through this border crossing.