Explainer: What did America do to help the refugees from Ukraine? [TKB USA]

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered the largest mass migration in Europe in decades, with more than 1.5 million people moving from Ukraine to neighboring countries. The United Nations’ premier refugee agency tweeted on Sunday “the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II”. Almost all refugees have moved to other countries in Europe, where they have generally been warmly welcomed. But some may eventually require permanent resettlement in the United States.

What has America done so far to help refugees?

The US has provided USD 54 million in food and other aid to people inside Ukraine and has promised to send more, according to Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development. This aid is important because the situation in Ukraine is dire and getting worse. Food is scarce in the country at the moment as millions of displaced people inside the country are trying to escape the Russian attack. The Biden administration announced that it would offer to further enhance the rights of the people of Ukraine already inside the United States. Congress members and advocates welcomed the announcement.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that about 75,000 people are eligible and that the situation in Ukraine is worsened by 12 days of ongoing Russian attacks.  However, in the meantime, Andrey Sibiga, deputy head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, said that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki says the US will accept refugees from Ukraine. But the administration says that, for now, at least, most refugees clearly want to stay in Europe. This is where many families are, they can work and then return home at some point. The administration had earlier said it would accept 125,000 refugees in the 2022 budget year.