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United Nations declares the situation in Ukraine as the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II

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The UN has declared the situation in Ukraine as the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since the second world war.

Thousands of people are fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. UN Refugee Agency Chief, Filippo Grandi, says 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled in just ten days.

The federal government announced it is letting an unlimited number of Ukrainians come into Canada. Most of the typical Visa requirements are being waived, but applicants will still need to supply biometrics and undergo a background screening process before leaving for Canada.

Konstantyn Sheweli of the Ukrainian National Federation’s Hamilton Branch says the government should drop the Visa requirement altogether. “For the last eight years, Ukraine has undergone considerable reforms just so that they can be integrated into the European Union, as we are a European country. With that said, considering the society there lives very similar, if not identical to how we live here, why do we have such a hard time attaining these Visas. Ultimately, removing the Visa requirements altogether would be the best, for Ukrainians. Especially for the Ukrainians that have family here in Canada.

Since January 1st, 61 hundred Ukrainians have arrived in Canada. The federal government will be creating a new authorization for emergency travel available to individuals fleeing Ukraine. It will eliminate many of the normal Visa requirements.