Since the European Union became operational in March last year, temporary protection directive For Ukrainians fleeing the Russian-initiated war, 4 million people enjoyed the right to stay, work or study in the European Union for up to three years without having to complete the onerous asylum application process. The measure, originally approved for a period of one year, has already been extended for another year. until March 2024and the European Commission willing extend protection for another year, by 2025 if the situation so requires. “Temporary protection has already been extended and we are ready to continue to do so. “We will support Ukraine as much as necessary,” said the vice-president for promoting the European lifestyle. Margaret Schinas.
Temporary protection directive that guarantees protection for up to three years, emergency mechanismis designed to respond to situations of mass influx of IDPs and provide them with immediate protection. After approval in 2001 Balkan war and the displacement of more than 3.2 million people, although it had never been implemented until last year. Nor during the severe migration crisis affecting the European continent. war of Syria in 2015. But after the invasion of Russia, the Twenty-Sevens managed to reach an agreement in record time, in just five days, to guarantee immediate and effective protection for Ukrainian refugees.
four million people
According to the balance made by the European Commission this Wednesday, around 4 million people – more than 3 million in the first half of 2022 – have lost their right to residence permits, labor market, vocational education or training, adequate housing, social assistance, financial support and medical care since activation. . However, since mid-2022, the number of registered persons applying for temporary protection has been gradually decreasing, with some fluctuations.
The report is also available by February of this year. 16 million tickets from Ukraine and Moldova14 million Ukrainian citizens 11 million would have passed from the EU to two countries. As for host Member States, by the end of 2022 almost half of those benefiting from protection Germany and Polandfollowed by Czech Republic, Italy and Spain however, in per capita ratios, the bulk is concentrated in Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic.
According to the data in the communiqué presented by Brussels, 47 percent of those fleeing the war are women and 34 percent are children. Of these, 69% were under the age of 13 and 0.5% were registered as unaccompanied minors. The report also notes that currently a fifth of Ukrainian children have sought refuge in the EU, about 2,000 Ukrainian patients have been evacuated to 20 countries in the European Economic Area, and about one million displaced people already have a job in Europe. “A year later, temporary protection is a testament to the unity and solidarity of the Union with people fleeing Russian aggression in Ukraine. The EU responded quickly and provided a safe haven for people in need”, stressed the interior commissioner, Ylva Johansson.