Ukraine Invasion: Fastest Growing Crisis Since World War II, Says UNHCR

Picture courtesy Reuters

New York: As Russia continues to bombard Ukrainian cities, a record 1.5 million people from the eastern European country have already crossed over to neighbouring countries in a span of 10 days, seeking shelter.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHRC) Filippo Grandi termed it as the “fastest growing crisis” in Europe since the second World War.

The numbers are growing daily as ceasefire negotiations between delegations of both countries are yet to bear fruit.

Poland has bore the maximum brunt, welcoming distressed citizens from the war-hit neighbouring country. As many as 1,29,000 people from Ukraine entered Poland on Saturday — the most in a single day since the war started — according to data available with Polish border guards. That took the total number of refugees crossing over to Poland to 9,22,400.

The other European Union countries where refugees have been let in are Hungary, Slovakia and northern Romania.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that 140,000 people have crossed into his country since the start of the war.