Ireland could be asked to take in up to 20,000 Ukrainian refugees as part of the EU's humanitarian response to the conflict in Ukraine.
The Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has suggested that state-accommodation may not be enough to house these refugees and ordinary Irish families will be asked to open their doors.
The UN says more than 500,000 people have fled the country, with Poland saying 350,000 have crossed the border.
Last week, Ireland announced it would be waiving visa requirements to Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country.
🆕 Up to 20,000 Ukrainian refugees are expected in Ireland.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said it may have to include Irish families opening up their home to help those fleeing war.
"This is a war effort, so the norms need to get set aside."
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) March 1, 2022
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, says the scale of this war means an unprecedented response is needed;
"I think in truth if we are going to accommodate the numbers that I expect to come here we're going to have to go beyond providing state-provided accommodation.
"It will probably have to apply to families as well who are willing to open up their homes to Ukrainian families for a temporary period of time.
"This is a war effort, so the norms need to get set aside."
