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US first lady Jill Biden will embark on a four-day trip to Romania and Slovakia on Thursday to meet displaced Ukrainians as the Russian invasion of the country continues to force millions to flee their homes.
More than 5.6 million Ukrainians have left the country since Russia launched its invasion on February 24 in one of the fastest exoduses since the Second World War, data from the UN refugee agency show.
Romania has welcomed 846,521 refugees since the war began and another 385,284 refugees have fled to Slovakia.
On Friday, Ms Biden will meet humanitarian aid workers and educators in Bucharest who are attempting to integrate displaced Ukrainians into “a stable and safe school environment”, the White House said in a statement.
The first lady will also meet US embassy staff and Romanian government officials.
Ms Biden will then celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday in Kosice and Vysne Nemecke, Slovakia, where she will meet refugees, aid workers and locals supporting displaced families.
Her visit comes as the UN released estimates showing a further three million Ukrainians were likely to flee the country by the end of the year. The 8.3 million projected displaced Ukrainians would double the organisation's original estimates.
The US Congress is seeking to authorise an additional $33 billion in military and economic aid for Ukraine that President Joe Biden requested last week. The $3bn earmarked for humanitarian aid would provide direct food support, medical supplies and job training, the White House said.
The White House also launched a “Uniting for Ukraine” programme to streamline the entry of Ukrainians to the US. If granted “humanitarian parole”, eligible Ukrainians would be granted a two-year legal status.
Mr Biden said the US would welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and other displaced civilians fleeing Russian aggression.
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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
