The \u201csenseless war\u201d in Ukraine has forced one million people to flee the country in just seven days, while countless others have been displaced within its borders, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have worked in refugee emergencies for almost 40 years, and rarely have I seen an exodus as rapid as this one,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0he\u00a0remarked<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Grandi reported that staff from the UN refugee agency,\u00a0UNHCR<\/a>, remain in Ukraine, along with other humanitarians, working where and when they can in frightening conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cOur staff stay, even at great risk, because we know the needs in the country are huge,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0he said.<\/p>\n Teams are also working throughout the region to scale-up protection and assistance programmes for the refugees, in support of host governments.<\/p>\n Most of the refugees have headed to Poland and other neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.<\/p>\n A UNHCR\u00a0data portal<\/a>, unveiled on Wednesday, is keeping track of arrivals.<\/p>\n Mr. Grandi commended regional governments and local communities that have taken in refugees, though stressing that ending the conflict is the only solution.<\/p>\n \u201cInternational solidarity has been heartwarming,\u201d he said. \u201cBut nothing \u2013 nothing \u2013 can replace the need for the guns to be silenced; for dialogue and diplomacy to succeed.\u00a0Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Among the masses leaving Ukraine are people from dozens of other countries, including migrant workers and students.<\/p>\n Some have encountered challenges as they attempt to escape conflict-affected areas, cross borders, or seek life-saving assistance.<\/p>\n The head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM<\/a>) was alarmed by verified credible reports of discrimination, violence and xenophobia against third country nationals.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me be clear, discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality or migration status is unacceptable,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0IOM Director General, Ant\u00f3nio Vitorino.<\/p>\n He stressed that neighbouring countries must allow all people fleeing Ukraine to access their territory, while assistance and protection must be provided in a manner that is non-discriminatory and culturally appropriate.<\/p>\nCommitment to stay<\/h2>\n
Concern for third country nationals<\/h2>\n