5,000 Ukrainian refugees in West Flanders

About 5,000 of them reside in our province. And that is more than 7 percent of all refugees. There are also about that many in East Flanders and Flemish Brabant.

About ten days after the start of the invasion, the European Union decided that Ukrainians in the EU countries could receive temporary protection, so that they do not have to go through the classic asylum procedure and can gain access to schools, medical care and work. The protection will last for at least one year, or until they can safely return to their country. In the meantime, the status has already been extended for two six-month periods, until March 4, 2024. It was the first time that the EU directive on this, which dates from 2001, was activated.

The majority of those temporarily protected are women (61 percent), and two out of three are adults.