Belgium scrambles to welcome Ukrainian refugees

As large numbers of refugees arrive, Belgian authorities are overwhelmed.

EU ministers last week hailed a “historic” deal to provide immediate protection for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. But on the ground in Brussels, the reality is very different.

As large numbers of refugees arrive, Belgian authorities are overwhelmed, centres are already saturated and contradictory information is shared — leading to confusion among Ukrainians who have fled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lethal invasion.

Marta Barandiy, founder of NGO Promote Ukraine, is facilitating administration between Brussels and Ukraine, and she points to failures of organisation.

“Local authorities are floundering as the number of refugees increases,” Barandiy said. A Belgian commune has even reached out to her to find out exactly which other municipalities in the region were already welcoming refugees.

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