With war on its eastern flank, Europe is seeing a record number of refugees this year. The continent has taken in 4.4 million people from Ukraine. In addition, there are more than 365,000 first asylum applications from refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. That reports the “New York Times”.
In the previous record year of 2015, Europe had taken in some 1.2 million refugees, mostly from the Middle East – prompting then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel (68) to make her famous statement: “We can do it.”
With the onset of winter, a new wave of refugees from Ukraine is likely to roll into Europe. Russian missiles have destroyed about 40 percent of the country’s energy and water resources. Many people are at risk of dying from the cold.
two-level system
In total, four times more refugees in one year as a result of the war in Ukraine, the largest refugee movement in Europe since World War II, according to Hanne Beirens, director of the Migration Policy Institute Europe in Brussels. Europe is “facing the largest forced resettlement since World War II,” Beirens said. In addition, there is high inflation and an impending energy crisis, which will continue to increase the cost of living and exacerbate the refugee crisis.
Refugees from Ukraine continue to receive preferential treatment, New York Times journalists from major German cities and Brussels report. This new refugee crisis raises “uncomfortable questions” for Europe. There is a two-tier system. “Because Europe has granted Ukrainians automatic residence and visas, Ukrainians are on the front lines in terms of housing and caring for refugees.”
The situation is much more difficult for refugees from other countries. Asylum seekers are “crammed into overcrowded reception centers”. So says a man named Basharmal Mohammadi from Afghanistan. He lives about a mile from the Belgian royal palace with other Afghan teenagers under a concrete staircase. The group shares cardboard boxes and a mattress. “I never thought I would live on a street like this in Europe,” said Mohammadi. “I thought I could get a better life here.” (keep)
Source: Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
