Czechs declare “state of emergency for Ukrainian war refugees”

The Czech government is further intensifying its efforts to aid Ukraine. Systems are being put in place to help the Ukrainian refugees entering the country every day and ministers say a state of emergency from Friday will accelerate the process of welcoming thousands of new arrivals.

A new clip released this week features actor Zdeněk Svěrák and combines clips from his Oscar-winning film Kolya and footage of Ukrainian refugees today.

The Czech Interior Ministry spot ends with the words “Open your doors to our Ukrainians” and the address of a government website entitled Our Ukrainians; it shows Czechs how best to help as well as offering practical assistance to Ukrainian arrivals.

This endeavour is just one plank of the Czech government’s broad response to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The minister of the interior, Vít Rakušan, spoke to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

Vít Rakušan | Photo: Office of Czech Government

Vít Rakušan, Photo: Office of Czech Government

 

“At the present time we are in a situation in which up to 5,000 people are entering the Czech Republic every day.

“At present 20,000 to 30,000 people have already arrived and are here in the Czech Republic.”

“They are registering, they are passing through our checkpoints.”

Read the rest here.

Author: Ian Willoughby