ICMPD forecasts up to 4mln new Ukrainian refugees, could strain EU

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The International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) published on Wednesday their Migration Outlook 2023 report which forecast that the EU could receive up to 4 million Ukrainian refugees in the upcoming year.

According to the report, approximately 4.9 million Ukrainians are already registered under the EU's Temporary Protection scheme alongside protection schemes in other European countries as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

However, according to the ICMPD, because 18 million Ukrainians remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance within Ukraine, the forecast for 2023 is that another 4 million Ukrainians will migrate to the EU.

The report noted that the "ICMPD estimates that sudden inflows could reach up to four million people, severely straining Europe’s capacity to process and integrate new arrivals."

On his part, Michael Spindelegger, ICMPD Director General, argued that “Europe will set an ambitious pace to its discussions this year to prove agile enough to respond to migration issues on yet more fronts."

Read more: War in Ukraine united Europe, yet made EU obedient to US orders: WSJ

WaPo: Support for Ukrainian refugees in Europe is declining

According to a report published by the US-based newspaper The Washington Post, European support for the displaced Ukrainians and refugees who are being hosted or expected to be hosted by European countries has declined as the war in Ukraine approaches the end of its first year.

The report pointed out that "the energy crisis in Europe, the high prices of fuel and natural gas, in addition to the crisis of inflation, high prices and the cost of living, have all become an obstacle for Europeans who want to provide financial support to Ukrainians coming to their country." 

"A European citizen who was able to host or secure a rent allowance for a Ukrainian family is now in a difficult situation," the report added.

"He is no longer able to secure his basic needs, or he secures them with difficulty," the news outlet said, questioning the extent to which the European Union can receive Ukrainians.

According to the Washington Post, citing a report released by the UNCHR, "over 2 million Ukrainian refugees have settled in western or southern Europe, but many prefer to stay in countries neighboring Ukraine, such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania."

Read more: No. of illegal EU border crossings in 2022 hits 6-year high: Frontex