Since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24 of last year, the Government has welcomed 21,500 people who have fled the war. The Russian offensive continues today and is not expected to end anytime soon. The Government immediately set in motion to pay attention to the refugees, making public services such as health, education and employment, among others, available to them.
Of the more than eight million refugees estimated by the Red Cross, the Executive of Pere Aragonès stresses that 36,000 have passed through Catalonia. Of these, around 21,500 have been established. The vast majority of them are women (72%). The arrival of non-guardian Ukrainian minors must also be taken into account. In total, 195, of which 36 have been welcomed in residential centers, while the rest have shared a roof with family members who are already residents. Catalonia, before the outbreak of the war, already had 24,000 resident Ukrainians, which accounted for 21% of this nationality in the Spanish State.
As explained by the spokesperson for the Government, Patrícia Plaja, in the press conference after the Executive Council on Tuesday, Catalonia is the second community that has welcomed the most people, 23% of all those who have arrived in Spain. Only the Valencian Community, with 24%, exceeds the number of refugees served.
Plaja also wanted to highlight that 26,000 health cards have been issued to guarantee care for refugees in Catalan territory. Likewise, 5,000 minors have been educated -most of them in primary (2,240) and secondary (1,449)- and 4,000 dining room scholarships have been awarded. The Government ensures that only 15% of those displaced to Catalonia are cared for within the framework of the state refugee program, for which reason the Generalitat has launched calls financed with European funds.
The Department of Equality and Feminism opened two calls in December. The first intended to give direct aid to Ukrainian refugees in vulnerable situations. 11,745,824 euros have been allocated. The deadline for applications ended on January 31, 2023, with 6,950 registered. Its adjudication will be resolved before March 31. The second call was aimed at compensating the advance payments made by town halls and county councils for the reception of refugees. The Generalitat ensures that it will cover 100% of the requests, which implies subsidizing 33 consistories and regional councils for an amount of 1,968,129 euros.