Weekly overview in pictures: Bucharest ups capacity to accommodate Ukrainian refugees | Covid-19 restrictions come to an end | U.S. VP Kamala Harris, top foreign officials visit Romania
As the war in Ukraine raged on, more Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country and transited to other destinations in Europe. Bucharest’s largest train station, Gara de Nord, has turned into a main transit point for refugees, with both…
Simona Fodor · Journalist
· Updated · 4 min read
As the war in Ukraine raged on, more Ukrainian refugees arrived in the country and transited to other destinations in Europe. Bucharest’s largest train station, Gara de Nord, has turned into a main transit point for refugees, with both authorities and volunteers working there to support those fleeing the war. Bucharest has also prepared additional accommodation places for refugees in a reconverted pavilion of exhibition center Romexpo and held a large benefit concert for Ukraine, marking also the first large-scale event in the city since the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
Romania also received visits from top foreign officials this past week, from U.S. vice president Kamala Harris and Canadian foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly to Israel’s foreign affairs minister Yair Lapid and U.K. Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. More of the March 6-March 13 week’s highlights in photos below.
After Bucharest decided to send RON 5 million (approximately EUR 1 million) in medicines and medical supplies to Ukraine, mayor Nicuşor Dan also announced an agreement to turn the central pavilion of the exhibition and convention center Romexpo, in the northern part of the city, into an accommodation center for Ukrainian refugees. The center, which can host 2,000 people, has already been set up and is meant as a backup to the 4,300 places available in the city to refugees. For the time being, it is closed until the other venues fill up.
As Russia’s offensive in Ukraine carried on, more refugees from Romania’s northern neighbor poured into the country. Since the start of Russia’s invasion and by March 13, 412,017 Ukrainian citizens entered the country. By March 11, 304,156 had already left, according to data from the Romanian Border Police, as they only transit Romania on their way to other countries, mainly in western Europe.
Gara de Nord train station, Bucharest’s largest one, has turned into one of the main transit points for Ukrainians crossing the country. They arrive by train from northern Romania, and in Bucharest take the railway connection to Budapest. The state-owned railway operator CFR Călători offers free transportation to Ukrainians.
The Bucharest Inspectorate for Emergency Situations has set up a point for refugees in Gara de Nord to deal with the influx of people arriving from Ukraine. At several tents on site, the authorities offer temporary refuge and first aid, alongside volunteers offering support.
