The Visegrad countries, known for their strict immigration policies, have opened their gates to hundreds of thousands of refugees coming from Ukraine.
According to EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson , the EU countries have already accepted more than 300,000 Ukrainian refugees. This figure is expected to reach one million in the coming days and weeks.
For people fleeing the country, Central Europe has become a safe haven. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary have direct borders with Ukraine and offer assistance to people in need of asylum.
Poland
“Ukrainian society is becoming more frightened and tense. We are ready to accept tens, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees,” said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski has announced that refugees are exempt from mandatory quarantine after crossing the border. Citizens of Ukraine are also allowed to be tested for Covid-19 and vaccinated for free.
In addition, Ukrainians can also ride public transport for free for the first four weeks. They are also allowed to bring their pets with them to Poland.
The Poles organize large charity events to raise funds, food, medicines, hygiene products, they donate blood. Hundreds of Polish drivers gathered near the border crossing to help refugees get to the cities free of charge. People are also ready to accept refugees in their homes.
Slovakia
“Slovakia is ready to help every Ukrainian who asks for such help,” said Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger.
The country showed unexpected solidarity with Ukrainians fleeing the war, which was not the case during the migration crisis of 2015-2016.
By the evening of Saturday, February 27, more than 10,000 people had crossed the border.
There are already several facilities at the borders for temporary accommodation.
Many people, charities and institutions have sent material assistance to the border or traveled there to help locally.
Finance Minister Igor Matovych said on Saturday that all Ukrainians will receive asylum and work permits. The government will also provide financial support to all people providing housing for refugees.
Czech
In the Czech Republic, trains now run along a special route that picks up Ukrainians at the external border of the EU and delivers them to the territory of the Czech Republic.
Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said there is no ceiling on the number of refugees who can come as the government is ready to help anyone who needs it.
The Czech Republic is also preparing government buildings, hotels and private homes to accommodate refugees. Prague is ready to open the Strahov football stadium to provide temporary housing for Ukrainians in need.
Hungary
Hungary creates centers for refugees and sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine
Six aid centers began operating Monday, February 28, along the border with Ukraine to support refugees fleeing the conflict, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said .
According to him, since the beginning of the war, 66,000 crossings from Ukraine have been registered.
