Almost 22,500 people who fled the war in Ukraine have already obtained temporary protection in Portugal, reveals this Saturday the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), according to which more than a third are children.
The SEF adds that it has already granted 22,455 requests for temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens and foreign nationals residing in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion of the country.
It also reveals that among the 22,455 requests are 8,032 children, that is, 35.7% of the cases.
The SEF has a platform onlinein three languages, for requests for temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine because of the war.
The ‘SEFforUkraine.sef.pt’ platform “enables all Ukrainian citizens and their family members (household), as well as any foreign citizen residing in Ukraine, to make an online request for temporary protection of one year, extendable for two periods of six months”, according to the SEF.
During the process for temporary protection in Portugal, citizens who request it have access to tax, Social Security and National Health Service numbers, so they can benefit from these services and enter the job market.
The platform also contains information on other aspects of reception and integration of displaced people.
On February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine that caused at least 1,081 deaths among the civilian population, including 93 children, and 1,707 injuries, including 120 minors, and caused a further 10 million people to flee. 3.7 million of which outside the country.
According to the United Nations, around 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
The Russian invasion was condemned by the international community in general, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and reinforcing economic and political sanctions on Moscow.
FOLLOW ALL ABOUT THE WAR IN UKRAINE HERE