How many Ukrainians have fled their homes and where have they gone?

More than 10 million people are already thought to have fled their homes in Ukraine because of the invasion, according to the United Nations.

As well as the 4.3 million who have left for neighbouring countries, another 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.

Where are people fleeing inside Ukraine?

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has warned people in large parts of the east of the country to evacuate while still possible.

Iryna Vereshchuk said people in the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk regions should try to leave now, or risk their life.

The UN’s 10 million figure is based on research carried out by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) between 9 and 16 March.

Of the 2,000 internally displaced people it surveyed:

• nearly 30% had come from Kyiv, more than 36% had fled from the east of Ukraine and 20% had come from the north
• nearly 40% were now in the west of Ukraine, with less than 3% in Kyiv
• only 5% had left their homes in anticipation of the invasion, with the vast majority fleeing either at the start of the war or when it reached their area

The IOM estimates that more than half of the people who are internally displaced are women, and many are deemed particularly vulnerable because they are pregnant, have a disability or are a victim of violence.

What is being done for people fleeing inside Ukraine?

The UN, which is working alongside other organisations to provide help to people in Ukraine, says it is offering humanitarian assistance “wherever necessary and possible”. This includes:

• giving cash to people for basics like food and rent
• delivering supplies from west to east, including food and tarpaulins for homes damaged by shelling
• providing folding beds to people in bomb shelters
• setting up reception and transit points for internally-displaced people

Eight buses escorted by the Red Cross have arrived in the town of Zaporizhzhia, carrying civilians who have fled Mariupol and nearby towns.

About 12 million people are thought to be stranded or unable to leave areas affected by the fighting.

Where are Ukraine’s refugees going?

Refugees are also crossing to neighbouring countries to the west, such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova.

The UN says that as of 6 April, more than 4.3 million people have left Ukraine:

• Poland has taken in 2,514,504 refugees
• Romania 662,751
• Hungary 404,021
• Moldova 401,704
• Russia 350,632
• Slovakia 304,983
• Belarus 18,060

Some people have travelled from Moldova into Romania and so are included in both countries’ totals.