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Twenty-one Ukrainian children who have cancer have arrived in England and will receive treatment through the National Health Service, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
The children and their immediate family members landed on Sunday evening from Poland and will be triaged before being sent to NHS hospitals to continue their care.
The youngsters were taken to England by the UK government with the support of Polish authorities and doctors, the department said.
Their cancer treatment will be provided free of charge by the health service across hospitals in England.
Hospitals in Poland have taken in children needing treatment who have arrived from Ukraine, the department said.
It said that with more children crossing the border requiring immediate treatment, the UK has “responded to Poland’s call for support from international partners to provide additional care”.
The UK formed a partnership with St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit American organisation that specialises in paediatric diseases, to arrange an urgent flight for the children.
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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
"The sickening suffering of innocent civilians in Ukraine is truly horrific," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“This vital lifesaving medical care is another important step in our support for the people of Ukraine and their resistance against Putin’s illegal invasion.
“I am hugely grateful to our fantastic NHS staff as well as our partners, including our Polish friends, for their support in bringing these children to the UK and we will continue to do all we can to support them as they continue their critical treatment here.”
