EUROPEAN COMMISSION Strasbourg, 8.3.2022 COM(2022) 107 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS













European solidarity with refugees and those fleeing war in Ukraine





























1.EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE The unprovoked military aggression and invasion of Ukraine by Russia has shocked the world. Condemnation on a global scale has been confirmed by the overwhelming majority of states in the United Nations . Russia has flouted the rule based international order and its actions are intended to destabilise the European security architecture. Indiscriminate attacks on civilians have led to massive loss of life, with countless tragedies for families and the destruction of peaceful communities. The determination of the Ukrainian people to do everything they can in defence of democracy and their nation has been remarkable. The EU and its Member States, together with partners, were at the forefront of efforts to prevent bloodshed and then to respond to Putin’s attack on the sovereign and peaceful nation of Ukraine, with unprecedented sanctions on the Russian Federation and Belarus . This also reflects a groundswell of revulsion around the globe at the contempt shown for human life, human rights, international law and the values we hold dear. This combination of comprehensive and united support from the EU and the inspirational solidarity of individual Europeans is evident in support for all those fleeing the war. The number of people displaced from their homes and forced to flee Ukraine has now reached the millions and the numbers are growing by the hour. The EU is leading the work to bring direct humanitarian aid to the victims of the aggression. The remarkable efforts of Member States under pressure are being backed up by the EU through direct provision of shelter, food and healthcare and by providing people fleeing the war in Ukraine with a clear status through an unprecedented offer of temporary protection. The impact of this dynamic policy response is being multiplied by the personal compassion of millions of Europeans to the plight of refugees. The readiness of families to welcome refugees into their homes, of communities to provide food and shelter, of businesses to offer services and employment, and of people across the EU and beyond to offer supplies and support, is a vivid demonstration of European values in action. It shows a commitment on which to build as the ever-growing scale of the refugee crisis combines with the need to provide stability for people after the trauma of war. The Commission will include information on the Europa website to help citizens and the private sector to ensure that their support to those fleeing the war can come through trusted organisations and match the needs. It is also important to ensure that high quality information is provided to counter disinformation aimed at undermining Europe’s solidarity. The EU’s commitment to help those in need is unwavering. We will live up to our values and receive everyone fleeing Russian aggression with respect and humanity. We will continue to step up the effective delivery of emergency assistance and humanitarian aid. Solidarity is the keystone for the EU as we meet the refugee challenge in the coming months.







THE SITUATION TODAY ·By 6 March 2022, 1.8 million people had fled the war in Ukraine. ·Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania have seen huge numbers of arrivals, day by day. Arrivals in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania ·In addition to the arrivals in Ukraine’s direct neighbours, people are moving on to other Member States: some Member States have given estimates (such as Czechia 100 000, over 40 000 to Bulgaria, over 17 000 to Italy), and these numbers change still further as people continue to transit to other Member States. ·Ukrainians represent at least four-fifths of people fleeing from the war in Ukraine. Alongside returning EU citizens, other nationalities include Indian, Nigerian, and Turkish. ·There are daily fluctuations and occasional congestion at the Ukraine/EU border, with Frontex reporting delays on the EU side of around one hour in most border crossings points (6 March). More substantial if reduced delays are still reported on the Ukrainian side. ·Reception capacity is at present adequate, given that many arriving move on swiftly to join family or friends. Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia continue to report available capacity. ·From 28 February to 6 March Ukrainian nationals lodged 8 467 asylum applications in EU+ countries. 39% of the applications were registered in the four Member States neighbouring Ukraine. 2. HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine is still unfolding. Europe is witnessing destruction and displacement on a scale not seen since the darkest days of the last century. The EU is mounting a huge effort to bring emergency humanitarian aid, working hand in hand with Member States, aid agencies and allies in the international community. At least €500 million from the EU budget is being directed to deal with the humanitarian consequences of this tragic war, both inside Ukraine and beyond. The EU is providing large-scale support to Ukraine itself to help it withstand the crisis, including emergency macro-financial assistance of €1.2 billion in the form of loans, and an additional €120 million to Ukraine in budget support. In addition, the European Investment Bank has, with the agreement of the European Commission, announced the immediate repurposing of €668 million of loans as liquidity support for the Ukrainian authorities. Support continues to key civil society partners in Ukraine. Humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine…. Civilian casualties are mounting in Ukraine day by day. Even for those sheltering from attack, the damage to housing, water supply and electricity leave many at real risk. The hostilities are making the supply of food increasingly difficult. Critical hospital services face constant power outages and there is a risk of ambulances and health workers being caught in the crossfire. Aid agencies are finding it more and more difficult to bring supplies to the people in need, with this problem becoming more acute as the war spreads. ….calls for humanitarian access The war must not be allowed to prevent help reaching those in need. Desperately needed humanitarian aid must be able to reach all parts of Ukraine. Civilians, irrespective of their nationality, must also be allowed to escape cities under siege. Ensuring humanitarian access, including through the establishment of humanitarian corridors, is therefore an urgent priority. Allowing safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers and supplies is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law. The EU will continue working with international organisations and partners to ensure access and make humanitarian corridors operational as soon as possible. Support is arriving from the first EU packages….. The immediate EU humanitarian funding package of €85 million for those affected by the war in Ukraine is underway to provide food, water, medicines, healthcare capacity, shelter and protection. The EU also supports refugees in Moldova with €5 million to cover basic needs. In parallel, 27 countries are working to deliver over €100 million worth of supplies through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). First deliveries have already reached those in need in Ukraine, with over 4 million items including vehicles, medical kits, tents, blankets, and sleeping bags. Specialist medical equipment is now on its way including respirators and oxygen from rescEU strategic medical reserve. ….and the challenge of delivery The EU works with the United Nations, Red Cross and international non-governmental organisations to ensure the most rapid delivery possible of humanitarian support. The Commission is in constant contact with the Ukrainian authorities to help cargo cross the border to Ukraine. Through the UCPM, the Commission is expediting delivery of assistance to Ukraine through hubs set up in Poland, Slovakia and Romania. Supporting the Member States under most pressure …..

A series of on-site visits from the Commission have been able to see first-hand the very substantial support programmes set up by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, as well as the efforts of neighbouring Moldova, for the refugees arriving at their borders. The combination of this work with the generosity and compassion of their people has brought immediate comfort to refugees and displaced persons facing the trauma of fleeing their homes. ….with direct help for the solidarity effort This work needs every possible support from the EU. Poland and Slovakia have activated the UCPM and are starting to receive shelter and medical assistance. Arrivals in such numbers mean specific health challenges and basic health checks should be provided on arrival. Those arriving may be wounded, or may have chronic conditions in need of immediate medical care. COVID-19 remains an additional challenge. The Commission and its agencies are working intensively with Member States to ensure access to healthcare and medicines, identify needs and match operational help including for hospital beds, surgical capacities to treat burns, and transport patients in need. In this situation where Member States may need to provide shelter, supplies and services very rapidly, the rules foreseen for urgent public procurement can be used as during the migration crisis of 2015-2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic. EU funding is immediately available to Member States through their national 2014-2020 Home Affairs programmes, which may still be used to offer financial support to cover elements such as shelter, food, and healthcare, including through extra staffing. The Commission will do its utmost to ensure existing funds are easily and rapidly available, and can be fully spent. The Commission is proposing to prolong the implementation period of these instruments to give Member States additional flexibility: swift adoption by the European Parliament and the Council would release around €420 million in additional support. In parallel, supporting the impacted Member States will be a priority for the available emergency funding under the 2021-2027 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. 3. THE CHALLENGE AT THE BORDER The crisis is putting extreme pressure on the EU border with Ukraine. The people arriving need to be registered, helped with their immediate needs and directed safely to their next place of shelter. This process needs to happen quickly, while keeping order and allowing essential security checks. The EU has a common responsibility to help its common border by supporting Member States facing these extra pressures. Supporting border management in Ukraine A first constraint is congestion on the Ukrainian side of the border. Ukrainian border authorities have to implement their rules in the face of a lack of staff, problems with IT systems and the large number of abandoned cars. Ukraine has been trying to manage the flows effectively by redirecting people and simplifying procedures. Member States and the EU are working with the Ukrainian authorities to help tackle bottlenecks. It is particularly important to work to keep free passage for aid supplies into Ukraine. Most of those arriving at the borders between Ukraine and Member States are Ukrainian nationals, who, if they hold biometric passports, enjoy visa-free entry to the EU for a period of 90 days and can even pass through use electronic entry points rather than border guards. Many are rejoining family and friends, and some will move on from the country of first entry to rejoin contacts in other Member States. It is important that border crossings between Member States allow such movements to happen as smoothly as possible. But there are many different categories of entrants. These include returning EU citizens, those granted international protection by Ukraine, including many Belarusians who had fled the Lukashenko regime, and students and workers from countries worldwide. It is of paramount importance that those fleeing from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, without exception, are treated with full respect and care. ….to keep safe flows moving… All these people need particular treatment and Member States have faced the challenge of huge numbers of arrivals, with some 100 000 arrivals a day at the Polish frontier alone. Member States have responded with reinforced staffing and streamlined procedures. It is essential to ensure an orderly entry into the EU based on common standards, keeping the border open for people who have fled areas of armed conflict and may need access to the EU on humanitarian grounds or international protection. The Commission has already issued operational guidelines to help Member States’ border guards manage arrivals efficiently, while maintaining a high level of security. These guidelines set out how tools such as emergency support lanes can help speed up support for the vulnerable and how some procedures can be streamlined, including simplified customs procedures. ….through financial support and EU agencies The EU is also stepping up financial support for Member States under the Border Management and Visa Instrument, to help border management such as identification of arrivals, as well as first reception and medical care. EU agencies are also providing extra manpower and expertise to support Member States. The first group of 49 Frontex staff deployed at EU-Ukraine borders and the border with Moldova is being supplemented by 162 staff being deployed to Romania. Frontex stands ready to step up support to over 2 600 officers for EU-Ukraine borders. The EU Asylum Agency EUAA is ready to support screening, registration, information provision and asylum processing with up to 130 experts. Europol is providing essential situational support, including on the possible presence of foreign fighters or other known security threats. Europol is present on the ground in Slovakia and Poland and is planned to soon be in Romania and Hungary. Other EU agencies such as eu-LISA and the Fundamental Rights Agency have also quickly redirected their work to support Member States. …and support to neighbouring countries Moldova has had to manage over 368 000 arrivals since 24 February . The immediate assistance package and support through UCPM to Moldova will be accompanied by further action to address the evolving situation, including €15 million to help manage the refugee crisis. The Commission will provide support for safe passage and repatriation of third country nationals to their countries of origin from neighbouring countries through a new action offering operational support and capacity building. The Commission will rapidly assess whether current projects in Moldova need to be scaled up and will provide support including through EU agencies as appropriate. 4. THE EU WELCOME TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS The current refugee crisis will require the EU to draw on all its capacities to act swiftly and decisively to help to meet the challenge. This challenge will be felt across the EU, and all Member States will need to harness their capabilities to support the new arrivals. This must include financial support but also bringing together groups at all levels who can help from civil society and diaspora communities. We must also engage with partners worldwide in a common effort. The EU is swiftly putting systems in place including in coordination with partners, to offer stable and welcoming settings for those fleeing the war and to help national administrations maintain essential work under massive strain. Particular attention should be paid to the needs of the most vulnerable, those who risk being marginalised, but also those at greatest risk. Women, unaccompanied minors and other children make up a major proportion of arrivals. Ensuring appropriate information and accommodation, preventing gender-based exploitation, supporting childcare and ensuring swift access to education will be among the immediate priorities.