Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU and its Member States have scaled up their support in humanitarian, financial and operational assistance to provide a safe haven for people fleeing the war.

Recently, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) allowing Member States and regions to provide emergency support to people fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. CARE is introducing the necessary flexibility in Cohesion policy rules to allow a swift reallocation of available funding to such emergency support. On top, the 2022 envelope of €10 billion of the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (‘REACT-EU’) funds can also be used to support projects to assist people fleeing Ukraine in line with the overall aim of post-pandemic recovery, without the need for legislative changes.

CARE will help Member States to provide emergency support in access to services such as temporary accommodation, food and water supplies or medical care. CARE may also enhance the administrative capacity of Member States to cater for the needs of refugees by supporting additional infrastructure equipment or staff necessary to cater for the needs of refugees.