Since the beginning of war in Ukraine, the EU has taken a number of measures to help those in need and to receive everyone fleeing, with respect and humanity, for example:
- On 2 March 2022, the Commission issued Operational Guidelines for checks at the external borders to Ukraine (https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/communication-providing-operational-guidelines-external-border-management-eu-ukraine-borders_en) with the aim of clarifying the applicable rules and possibilities regarding relaxing border control procedures and protecting vulnerable persons crossing them.
- On 4 March 2022, the Council agreed on activating the Temporary Protection Directive (EUR-Lex – 32001L0055 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu) offering immediate protection and access to the labour market, accommodation, financial support, healthcare, and education for Ukrainian nationals and third country nationals permanently residing there, unable to return in safe and durable conditions to their country of origin, and who crossed the EU border after 24 February 2022.
To support Member States in applying the Directive, the Commission has also issued operational guidance which is in force since 21 March 2022 (EUR-Lex – 52022XC0321(03) – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu) and includes specific recommendations on how to register the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and ensure immediate access to their basic rights, including the right to obtain specific medical and psychological support.
Furthermore, two key communications were published in March:
- Commission Communication of 8 March, outlining the key actions taken and to be taken to support refugees fleeing the war.
- Communication_welcoming_those_fleeing_war_in_ukraine.pdf (europa.eu) ensuring that Member States have the right tools to meet the challenges ahead and which underlines that the European Commission supports and funds psychosocial care and access to basic services, including housing, healthcare and education.
On 28 March 2022, the Commission presented also a 10-Point Plan for a stronger European Coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war against Ukraine (The 10-Point Plan: For stronger European coordination on welcoming people fleeing the war from Ukraine (europa.eu).
A “Solidarity Platform” has been set up by the Commission with a view to coordinate the operational response, including the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive. Its role is to coordinate cooperation between Member States, Schengen Associated Countries, EU Agencies and International Organisations with the purpose to facilitate and make use of relevant EU bodies to support the implementation of the 10-point plan for stronger coordination on welcoming the people fleeing the war in Ukraine, to share information on needs regarding reception, accommodation, transport etc. and coordinate matching offers for solidarity from participating countries to accept people who fled the war in Ukraine, as a first concrete deliverable from Moldova. In this view, the Commission established a dedicated exercise transfering displaced people to Moldova from Ukraine, in particular vulnerable, who fall under temporary protection. It is important to mention that this is a voluntary transfer. Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) have been developed for these transfers from Moldova, including in relation to unaccompanied minors that were endorsed on 24 March 2022. The SOPs of the transfers from Moldova clearly lay down the prioritisation of people based on established vulnerability criteria including disabilities.
The Platform meets on weekly basis, works alongside the Council’s Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) as well as the EU Migration Preparedness and Crisis Management Network (the Blueprint).
You will find more detailed information on the HOME webpage Migration management: Welcoming refugees from Ukraine.
This is complementary to the corporate website with information for people fleeing the war, with FAQ section on the Temporary Protection and map with the contact details of national authorities and key organisations helping on the ground.
The European Commission recognizes the specific protection needs of refugees with disabilities, including those fleeing war in Ukraine that belong to the community of over 2.7 million persons with disabilities that were registered as residing in Ukraine prior to the war.
