Government meeting

Host: Mihaela Enache - 56.000 Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania since the Russian invasion of the neighboring country, and half of them, about 28.000, were in Romania this afternoon, according to official data presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Only 318 people have requested a form of protection, and the authorities have adapted the legislation today, so that those who do not benefit from the assistance provided by the status of foreign asylum seeker can also receive emergency aid from the Romanian state.

Reporter: Good evening. In an extraordinary government meeting, which took place this afternoon, the executive adopted an Emergency Ordinance for the provision of humanitarian support and assistance by the Romanian state to Ukrainian citizens. The Interior Minister, Lucian Bode, stated that it was established through the adopted document that foreign citizens or stateless people who come from the armed conflict areas in Ukraine and who do not request a form of protection, such as asylum, benefit in temporary accommodation camps, among others, from clothing, personal hygiene products and primary care. Thus, said Lucian Bode, the framework for financing all costs for these temporary camps was ensured. On the other hand, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca mentioned that Romania will send a second tranche of aid to Ukraine.

Nicolae Ciuca: We decided to send a series of materials and equipment to Ukraine. These consist of safety helmets, bulletproof vests, ammunition, food, water and medicines totaling more than 3 million euros. We also decided to go, together with the members of the Government, to donate blood, so that we could launch a campaign that could help the wounded from the war in Ukraine.

Reporter: Secretary of State Raed Arafat, head of the Emergency Situations Department, said that Romania is preparing for a possible increase in the flow of Ukrainian citizens at the borders and thanks all those involved in civil society and NGOs.

Translated by: Radu Matei