Spain granted temporary protection to 30,000 Ukrainians fleeing war
"Currently, we have almost 30,000 (Ukrainian) refugees in Spain under temporary protection and the forecast is to reach 70,000 in a few days," says the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the Reception, Care and Referral Center for Ukrainian refugees in Ciudad de la Luz (Alicante) on Thursday.
The head of the Spanish government conveyed a message of solidarity and welcome to Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war and demanded a united response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"Currently, we have almost 30,000 (Ukrainian) refugees in Spain under temporary protection and the forecast is to reach 70,000 in a few days," Sanchez pointed out.
Sanchez highlighted "the patriotism and solidarity of Europe" in the response to the war and also the collaboration and work of all the administrations in terms of reception in the face of the humanitarian crisis derived from the Russian invasion.
After learning first-hand about the work of the center's professionals, Sanchez detailed the Government's efforts to provide temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees, by streamlining reception procedures and setting up three receptions centers in Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante, to which a fourth will be added in Malaga.
Spain, 'horizon of peace'
"Spain is once again an example of solidarity, acceptance and horizon of peace for the refugees from Ukraine", the prime minister stated.
Sanchez was accompanied by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Jose Luis Escriva, and the President of the Valencia regional government, Ximo Puig.
The prime minister asked for support for his National Response Plan to the consequences of the War, which came into force on Friday 1 April.
The government plan consists on a € 16 billion package of state aid and loans, which includes measures such as temporary discounts on gasoline and diesel for all consumers, limits on the rise in rental prices and an increase in the Spanish Minimum Vital Income (MVI).