February 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian interior minister Lucian bode said on Friday that over 10,624 refugees have crossed the border from Ukraine in the last 24 hours, after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.
Out of the total number of refugees who arrived in Romania, some 3,660 have already left the country to other destinations, Bode said during a live-streamed news conference.
Only 11 Ukrainian citizens sought asylum in Romania and they were housed in one of the six asylum centres that Romania has. According to Bode, there are 1,100 available places in these centres at the moment.
"We are technically and logistically prepared to organize refugee camps as a first response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. And here I want it to be very clear. Units of the Department for Emergency Situations are equipped with these mobile camps. We have identified all locations where it would be possible to install these mobile camps," Bode said.
"The organization of these camps is a temporary one, of maximum 72 hours. We are currently identifying spaces that will allow the accommodation of people who need longer-term support, such as hotels, pensions, cultural centers and gyms," Bode said.
On Thursday, the national border police said that over 5,300 refugees, both Romanian and Ukrainian citizens, have crossed the border from Ukraine by 16pm on February 24. The refugees entered through the Halmeu border point in Satu Mare county, Sighetu-Marmatiei in Maramures county, Siret in Suceava county and Isaccea in Tulcea county.
On Thursday, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said that his country is ready to face any economic and humanitarian consequences that a lasting armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine could generate. Romania has a 600 km border with Ukraine.