MáLAGA – This week, Spanish President Sánchez visited the refugee centre set up in Málaga for the reception, care, and referral of Ukrainian citizens fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the prime minister, 134,000 Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Spain. Furthermore, about 64,000 of them already have a temporary work and residence permit. The centre in Málalaga is one of four that can accommodate refugees from Ukraine. It is located in the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos in the provincial capital. Special reception areas have also been set up for this purpose in Madrid, Barcelona, and Alicante.
En el centro de refugiados en Málaga he comprobado, una vez más, la excelente colaboración entre instituciones para acoger a las personas ucranianas. El pueblo español es solidario y está con Ucrania. Un mensaje que trasladaré personalmente al presidente @ZelenskyyUa. pic.twitter.com/t1xIVAaZdx
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 20, 2022
Sánchez thanked the different government administrations for their joint work to receive the refugees. And he spoke of the Ukrainians as a people who “desire for peace, freedom and defend their territorial integrity”.
‘Firm commitment of Spain for peace in Ukraine’
The president explained that at his next meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, he will convey “the firm commitment of Spain, its institutions and its society for peace in Ukraine”.
He also reported that Spain has already welcomed 134,000 Ukrainian refugees. Furthermore, most of them are mothers with their children and the average age is 28 years. “We want them to feel at home,” Sánchez said.
The prime minister also wanted to say that in the first week of March the reception system in Spain had “about 6,000 places and today there are more than 24,000, of which 18,000 are already occupied”.
Málaga mayor emphasises hospitality of his city
Málaga mayor Francisco de la Torre has described the shelter as “proud” of Malaga, Andalucia and Spain. “It is an example of institutional solidarity,” stated De la Torre, emphasising the hospitality of his city.
The Minister of Migration, José Luis Escrivá, took the floor to confirm that the government aims to provide “security” to the refugees fleeing Ukraine and arriving in Spain: “There are already 64,000 Ukrainians with residence and work permits, and in the coming weeks this number will reach 100,000”.
Also read: Sánchez meets Zelenski in Kyiv
