Portugal has so far granted more than 39,000 temporary protections to people who fled the war in Ukraine, of which about a third were minors, according to the latest update made by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).
In a balance sheet, the SEF states that, since the beginning of the war on February 24th, it has granted 39,346 temporary protections to Ukrainian citizens and foreigners residing in Ukraine, 25,481 of which were to women and 13,865 to men. Requests for temporary protection were also authorised for 12,481 minors, representing 31.7% of the total.
According to the SEF, the municipalities with the highest number of temporary protections granted continue to be Lisbon (6,288), Cascais (2,520), Sintra (1,450), Porto (1,432) and Albufeira (1,133).
The SEF also indicates that it issued 35,586 certificates granting residence permits under the temporary protection regime.
This certificate, issued after the National Health Service, Social Security and Tax Authority have assigned the respective numbers, is necessary for refugees to start working and access support.
During the process of allocating these numbers, citizens can consult the numbers that, in the meantime, are being allocated, in their reserved area of the digital platform https://sefforukraine.sef.pt/
The request for temporary protection to Portugal can be made through that 'online' platform created by the SEF available in three languages, it is not necessary for adults to use the SEF offices for this security service. However, in the case of minors, it is mandatory to go to a Foreigners and Borders Service desk, to confirm identity and affiliation.
Since Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24th, according to the UN more than 4,000 civilians have been killed, but the real number is likely to be much higher.
The invasion caused the fleeing of more than 8 million people, more than 6.6 million of them out of the country, according to the latest UN data.
Source Lusa
