Over 500,000 people have fled from Ukraine into neighbouring European countries seeking safety from the invasion of Russian forces. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) the number is accelerating as refugees, mainly women and children, flee the country.

“UNHCR is working with the authorities, UN and other partners in Ukraine and is ready to provide humanitarian assistance wherever necessary and possible. To that effect, security and access for humanitarian efforts must be guaranteed.,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

As many as 7 million people could be displaced by the crisis and countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia have been receiving displaced people.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU was taking unprecedented actions to support Ukrainian defence efforts and added that refugees were welcome in Europe.

“We welcome with open arms those Ukrainians who have to flee from Putin’s bombs and I am proud of the warm welcome that Europeans have given them. We are mobilising every effort and every euro to support our Eastern Member States – to host and take care of these refugees. We will do this in full solidarity.”