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The UK’s Ukrainian refugee system has been criticised as too slow and too stringent as applicants are ferried between sites in France.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the government was giving priority to “paperwork over people” in its response to the Ukraine refugee crisis. The UK is unique in Europe in requiring Ukrainians obtain a visa before entering the country as they flee the attack on their country.
The UK’s policy to allow in refugees only if they have families in the UK has also come under fire from EU nations that have adopted more "open door" policies.
More than 2,500 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland, a third of them children. Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has taken in 1.29 million people.
Mr Solomon said it was the “worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War “.
“We have a scheme in place that's only issued hundreds of visas to allow Ukrainians to come here,” he said.
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Refugees who fled Ukraine wait outside a temporary centre in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
Refugees intent on fleeing Ukraine wait for hours to board a train from Lviv to Poland. Reuters -
People arrive at a refugee camp near Palanca, in Moldova, about 3 kilometres from the border with Ukraine. EPA -
Pupils in Sache village, France, welcome Anastasia and her son Dary, refugees fleeing Ukraine. AFP -
Refugees from Ukraine disembark a ferry at the border crossing in Isaccea, Romania. Getty -
People who fled Ukraine wait for transport after crossing the border into Poland. AP -
Refugees at a makeshift shelter set up at a four-star hotel in Suceava, Romania. AP -
Women and children arrive at Lviv train station in western Ukraine as they try to flee the country. EPA -
Relatives are reunited after crossing from Ukraine into Hungary. Getty -
A woman welcomes a child who has arrived in Berlin on a train from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees from Odesa arrive in Athens. Reuters -
People fleeing Ukraine arrive at Velke Slemence, Slovakia. EPA -
Parents and children make their way through Berlin's main station after arriving in Germany from Poland. Reuters -
Refugees at the Medyka border crossing in Poland, where thousands are fleeing as a result of the Russian military offensive. AFP -
A sports hall in Chisinau, Moldova, where more than 500 people who fled from Ukraine found shelter. EPA -
A child looks out from a tent at a temporary camp for refugees in Przemysl, Poland. Reuters -
A worker prepares a gym in Perpignan, France, before the arrival of people fleeing Ukraine. AFP
“We have Ukrainians queuing up in Calais, at the visa application centre in Poland, unable to access documentation.
“And I think the government is making a fundamental error here. It's not adopting a 'refugees first' approach, which it should be adopting
"It seems to be adopting an approach which is 'paperwork over people' — people who have lost everything through no fault of their own.”
In Europe, refugees have been given free travel by rail companies in Poland, Germany and elsewhere to help them move around the continent.
There were chaotic scenes in Calais on Wednesday as refugees tried to gain the right papers for entry into Britain.
They were put on a bus, accompanied by a heavy police presence, bound for visa application centres in Paris, Brussels or Lille.
A new “pop-up” facility is being opened in Lille, about 110 kilometres to the east of Calais, on Thursday amid concern among politicians that smuggling gangs are exploiting people in an area long associated with the migrant crisis.
“I don't know what is happening day to day," said Omed Tahri, who had lived in Ukraine for 14 years. "It is very complicated for me.”
Mr Tahri, a translator who fled his home in Kharkiv to join his sister in East Ham, east London, was among those due to leave a hostel bound for Paris, having been told he had an appointment on Thursday morning.
“We had a good job, a good business, now we have left everything," said the Afghan national, who is travelling with several members of his family.
“Now I have no money, no place to go. I hope they give us the visa … we want to be a unit, all the family together.”
The UK has for days been accused of dragging its heels over the refugee crisis.
“The problem here is there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty," said Clare Moseley, founder of the Care4Calais charity. "It is making the lives of upset people even more difficult.”
Adding to the confusion, the UK Home Office said the Lille visa centre's location would not be made public, prompting further concern about how refugees arriving in the French city would know where to go.
Downing Street said the Lille facility would open on Thursday.
“The equipment and facilities are being stood up today,” a government spokesman said. “It will start accepting appointments from tomorrow morning.”
