A European official: The reception of Ukrainian refugees is different from their counterparts from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan

The European Union's response to refugees from Ukraine has not been the same as that taken upon the arrival of refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, as confirmed by the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.

"I must say that it is completely different, we are now more prepared," Elva Johansson told reporters.

"What we are witnessing now is unprecedented action and there is solidarity from member states with each other towards Ukrainian refugees," she added.

She explained that other EU member states have so far been "cooperative" in receiving refugees, and there is no need currently to prepare a formal process for the redistribution of refugees.

This, and the European Union official warned that the Ukrainian refugee crisis represents a "great challenge" for the bloc and is likely to worsen, but stressed the unprecedented unity of countries towards the crisis, as "unfortunately things are getting worse, and we will see more people flee, we do not know exactly how many." It will be the number, but by my estimation, many millions will come."

"So this is going to be a really, really big challenge, it's a big challenge now but it's only going to get worse, and we have to be prepared for that," she added.

Johansson said many of the first arrivals from Ukraine had managed to stay with friends or relatives in the EU, but she warned that the situation could change with the influx of more refugees.

She pointed out that there are "significant concerns" about the concern for the huge number of children who make up about half of the refugees who cross the border.

She stated, "It is very important now that we focus on giving these children a kind of normal life, and ensuring that they go to schools or nurseries, and this is also an opportunity for parents to be able to work and be part of society."

Johansson renewed her warnings of the danger posed by human trafficking gangs to unaccompanied minors, pointing out that the European Union is activating a network dedicated to confronting this threat.

European Union countries have received more than two million refugees from Ukraine in the past two weeks, since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

The bloc was quick to grant the fleeing temporary protection at a time when the European continent faced one of the biggest crises since World War II.

Brussels announced initial emergency funding of 500 million euros to help deal with the humanitarian consequences of the war.

Officials are pressing for another 420 million euros in additional support to help integrate immigrants.

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