Croatia introduces temporary protections for Ukrainian refugees

So far, some 1.8 million people have fled Ukraine, with the daily exodus of some one hundred thousand people per day at the beginning of the conflict, now growing to almost 150 thousand.

More and more Ukrainian refugees are also arriving in Croatia, 2 580 so far. Most are settling in private accommodations. A temporary reception center was opened today in Gospić. So far, the Croatian Red Cross has raised 400 thousand Kuna to help refugees, and will soon open a donation hot-line. For its part, government has decided to introduce temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. “On the basis of these decisions and the activation of these legal decrees, they will have the right to stay here, a personal identification card, basic needs for life and housing, health coverage, elementary and secondary education, work without landed immigrant status, and confirmation of being registered to work, the right to reunite families and the right to freedom of religion.”

A third round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia kicked off on Monday. The Russian side is making the same demands, calling for Ukraine to assume neutrality between the east and west, to recognize Crimea as Russian territory and recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk. Early on Monday morning Russia offered a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors for civilians to be evacuated to cities in Belarus and Russia. However, the Ukrainian side has rejected the proposal.

Source: HRT