EU to channel EU emergency aid to 5 countries hit by Ukraine

The European Commission EC has decided to channel EUR 248 million in extraordinary aid to five countries, including Poland, that have suffered the brunt of the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

Poland is the prime destination with over 3 million people crossing its eastern border, but the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania will also receive funding.

The decision follows the April 9 global pledging event Stand Up for Ukraine'', where the Commission committed up to EUR 400 million to support refugees from Ukraine in the most affected member states, the EU said in a statement on Wednesday.

Member states can use these funds to provide immediate assistance, such as food, transport and temporary accommodation for people fleeing Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, as well as increase their capacity to manage the EU's external borders, according to the EC.

The EU body commented that the funding will be released by the Commission based on results achieved rather than the actual costs to ensure that funds are quickly disbursed without a heavy administrative burden.

The remaining EUR 152 million will be available to the Commission after approval from the EU's budget authority.

Since February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine, 3,442, 000 people have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border into Poland, according to the Polish Border Guard on Wednesday morning.