Sin400.000 Ukrainian refugees in Romania
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 2.5 million people have fled the country. United Nations estimates a minimum of 4 million people with refugee status in the upcoming period.
According to official figures, more than 400.000 people have arrived in Romania from Ukraine since the war started. Currently, only around 3.000 Ukrainians have sought asylum in our country. However, if the war drags on, Romania will soon expect a much higher influx of people. USR MEP Vlad Gheorghe has officially requested the Government to offer the free spaces under the Autonomous State Property Administration to refugees.
Public institutions – accommodation for Ukrainian citizens
“There is no clear and transparent situation of the governmental patrimony (RA-APPS). Nevertheless, we know that it concerns buildings and lands all over the country, including hotels and villas. RA-APPS manages a patrimony worth more than 3.7 billion lei and has around 2.000 employees. There are certainly enough free spaces where families with children, elderly and disabled people seeking shelter in Romania can be safely accommodated”, believes the USR MEP.
“We see an exemplary mobilization of ordinary people in Romania who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees in their homes. Since Putin’s invasion, civil society and the private sector have again given the best example of solidarity. The same cannot be said of the Romanian state. At the central level, either too little is done to help those fleeing the war, or what is being done is not communicated at all”, stresses Vlad Gheorghe.
Together with 38 colleagues from Renew Europe and other MEP groups, Vlad Gheorghe also called for the European Parliament to open its buildings in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg to Ukrainians leaving their bombed country.
“It would not be the first time that the EP premises set an example of solidarity. Former President Davide Sassoli had such an initiative in support of those affected by the pandemic in 2020”, recalls the USR MEP.
Largest support group for Ukrainians in Romania
In February 2022, Vlad Gheorghe set up the largest public group for volunteers to help Ukrainians fleeing war. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Romania’s borders have been filled up with people seeking safety. Romanians have not hesitated to jump to their aid. UNIȚI PENTRU UCRAINA – Об’εднанi за Украiну – group currently has over 267,000 members and the number is constantly growing, with over 30,000 registered volunteers offering accommodation, transport or donations of goods.
