Austria relocates 70,000 children from Ukraine to its territory

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, millions of people have been forced to flee their country and seek refuge in other neighbouring countries, over half of whom, according to the United Nations, are children.

The UN Children’s Fund revealed that 4.3 million children are currently displaced, which means that more than half of the children living in Ukraine, 1.8 million of whom have left the country and are already abroad.

The number of children leaving every day has dropped below 100,000 a day, even 50,000 in recent days, although living conditions in Ukraine are deteriorating.

In addition to many countries that have shown their willingness to accommodate refugees coming from Ukraine, Austria is also trying to accommodate all those seeking assistance, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Since the start of the war, until March 24, 27,000 displaced persons have already been registered in Austria.

Refugee coordinator Michael Takacs reported that 70 per cent of those registered are women, 35 per cent under 18 years old.

According to coordinator Takacs, 203,000 Ukrainian refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Austria since the Russian invasion. The relatively low number of registrations in Austria is explained by the fact that about 80 per cent travel directly and do not stay long in the territory of Austria.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has reported that about 78 children have been killed and 105 injured in the fighting in Ukraine.

“This is a grim milestone that could have lasting consequences for generations to come,” Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, pointed out in this regard.

Refugee travel poses a major risk as at least 90 per cent of them are children and women and are at risk of being exploited by traffickers and criminal organisations.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Ualy added that evidence from the conflict shows that criminals benefit greatly from war and chaos.

“Crisis increases vulnerabilities as well as opportunities to exploit people in need, especially internally displaced people and refugees,” he also noted.

In support of children and families fleeing the war in Ukraine, UNICEF and UNHCR have established the “Blue Dots” in partnership with organisations and governments. “Blue Dots” are safe, one-stop-shops for children and women that provide essential information for travelling families.

Besides, “Blue Dots” also help identify those children who are unaccompanied or separated to ensure their safety and protection.

SOURCE: Schengen Visa Info

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