June 27 () –
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) welcomed this Wednesday the decision of the European Union to extend until March 2026 the temporary protection guaranteed since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine to Ukrainian refugees who have fled to community soil. to escape the war and which was already guaranteed until March 2025.
“We welcome the announcement ensuring greater certainty for refugees from Ukraine by extending their residence. With the extension of temporary protection status, the EU demonstrates its continued commitment to protecting those fleeing hostilities that have not ceased in Ukraine,” said UNHCR representative to the EU, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Jean-Nicolas Beuze.
In this regard, he considered that this extension is “a practical tool” to ensure a legal framework for the international protection of the 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees who are in the EU, most of them in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
“Although temporary in nature, this protection guarantees more than 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees residency, access to public services and the labor market of host countries for another year,” Beuze added.
The organization has asked the rest of the EU member countries to continue “focusing” on the socioeconomic inclusion of these people because the host States will benefit from “positive contributions” both currently and in the period of reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine after his return to the country.
“In Poland, between 225,000 and 350,000 refugees from Ukraine are currently working and playing a vital role in the local economy, demonstrating their resilience and willingness to contribute to their host societies. As a result of their contribution to the labour market, their contribution to Poland’s GDP is estimated to be between 0.7 and 1.1 percent in 2023,” UNHCR said.
Finally, he urged the application of the “lessons learned” regarding the protection of Ukrainian refugees “beyond their situation.”
“Innovative approaches and the significant solidarity demonstrated by host states have the potential to increase autonomy, reduce dependence on reception, assistance and social protection systems and broaden inclusion for other refugee groups in the EU,” he added. .
The temporary protection mechanism, which was created after the Balkan war but had not been activated until the war in Ukraine, guarantees that displaced people under this umbrella can move freely within the European Union in search of shelter, with rights such as Guaranteed work and stay permit.
The protection was activated for the first time in March 2022 and in principle could only be extended annually for a maximum of three years, which is why the maximum term under the current framework is running out.
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