It is estimated that there are 772 compatriots in Ukraine. The foreign minister, Juan Carlos Holguín, details that a first humanitarian flight could leave in five days.
After 8:00 p.m. on February 25, 2022, Juan Carlos Holguin, Foreign Minister of Ecuador, spoke with LA HORA about the situation of the Ecuadorians in Ukraine. He also clarified that the only official source of information is from the Foreign Ministry in Ecuador. The latter, due to the statements made to this medium by Consul Luis Narváez, who pointed out that “young people from Zaporizhzhia (city in Ukraine) must leave by their own means.
Holguín emphasizes that it must be understood that “we are in a situation of war (Russia vs Ukraine)» and that this has meant that, in the contingency plans, the evacuations must be done in an orderly manner “where it is still possible to evacuate” and, in areas where there is still conflict “the students (ecuadorians) it would be better if they stayed there.”
“There are students yes, they have left on their own. Perhaps that is the clarification that needs to be made. But for those who have left on their own, we are following up one by one and trying to get their families to explain to us the situation of each one, so that we can provide them with help when they get to the border,” says the Chancellor.
More than 100 in borders
At the moment, it indicates Chancellorhave been counted 772 Ecuadorians in Ukraine, although he says there could be more, because as the days go by, compatriots who were not registered are found. Of that number, at least 100 have already reached the border with Poland and eight are in Romania. In both countries, the measure of not requesting a Schengen visa from Ecuadorians was applied. Once they get there they can go to shelters.
However, he said that there are many more who are in Lviv (city of Ukraine which is very close to Poland); therefore “in the next three, four hours it will be perhaps the largest arrival of Ecuadorians to the border with Poland.”
Holguín also detailed that they have no record of Ecuadorians injured or who have died in the midst of the bombers that, since February 24, 2022, began Russia.
Regarding the humanitarian flights, he stressed that they have talks with other countries that must also evacuate their citizens, so it is estimated that within next five days could be the first humanitarian flight with Ecuadorians. (AVV)
