How Many Ukrainian Refugees Are There and Where Are They Going?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24th, 2022 and hasn’t let up since then. Life in Ukraine has been devastating for the country’s citizens due to the ongoing conflict. This has resulted in a Ukrainian refugee crisis that has led to millions of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the country. It has also led to over 6 million Ukrainian internal refugees—also known as internally displaced persons (IDPs)—who have had to flee within their country’s borders to escape danger. Many of these individuals are still seeking safe passage out of Ukraine.
But how many Ukrainian refugees are there and where are they going? As of May 22nd, 2022, there are over 6 million Ukrainian refugees, many of whom have fled to neighboring countries. Here are the numbers of Ukrainian refugees who have fled and the countries they have escaped to (as of May 22nd, 2022):
- Poland – 3,505,890
- Romania – 961,270
- Russian Federation – 919,934
- Hungary – 644,474
- Republic of Moldova – 471,223
- Slovakia – 442,316
- Belarus – 27,308
As of now, most Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries. In response to this crisis, the European Union (EU) has announced that Ukrainian refugees can stay, work, and move throughout any of its 27 member countries.
However, as mentioned above, there are still millions more Ukrainian citizens looking to get out of their country. These internally displaced persons need other locations to offer refuge so as not to overwhelm the neighboring countries that are already helping the most.
The Ukrainian people desperately need help from other individuals, agencies, organizations, and countries in order to find refuge and safety. The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) advocates for the rights of all uprooted people, including Ukrainian refugees currently in need. Together with our partner agencies, we are working on providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees, as well as calling on governments around the world to provide immediate support to all Ukrainians in need of protection.
With our members, the Conferences of Catholic Bishops in the USA and worldwide, we are also encouraging ceasefire zones so civilian populations can escape to safety, as well as promoting the establishment of Temporary Protection Directives so that refugees are admitted to countries where they are seeking protection. In countries bordering Ukraine, our member organizations are working to welcome and provide support to refugees fleeing the conflict.
We rely on generous donations to continue our critical work, so consider making a donation to help make a difference in the lives of Ukrainian refugees today!
