People around the world want to lend Ukrainian refugees a helping hand
74% of adults, on average, across 27 countries say their country should take in those fleeing the conflict in Eastern Europe
Once you see you can’t unsee.
A mass of people trying to shove on to a train. Wives sobbing as the say goodbye to husbands staying behind. Children lugging only what they can carry on their backs as they head for the border.
More than five million people have already fled Ukraine since February 24 and 8.3 million are projected to leave this year, said a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson recently.
Images of desperate refugees have flooded phone and TV screens; the world wants to help.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of adults, on average, across 27 countries either strongly or somewhat agreed that their country should take in Ukrainian refugees from the current conflict, according to online polling by Ipsos’ Global Advisor from March 25 - April 3.
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Support for taking in Ukrainian refugees is highest in Sweden at 89%, the Netherlands (86%) and Spain (85%).
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And it’s lowest in Turkey (53%) and South Africa (57%), followed by Israel, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia (all tied at 59%).
A history of conflict
Israel, like Ukraine, is scarred by years of conflict. And while our poll shows people in the Middle Eastern country are less supportive of taking in Ukrainian refugees than many others, Maurice Kahoonay, Country Manager for Ipsos in Israel, noted thousands from Ukraine have already arrived there since late February.
He explained the word “refugee” in the survey may have skewed results as bit as Ukrainians of Jewish descent are likely to be considered “new immigrants” who are automatically eligible for citizenship and thus not thought of as “refugees” by Israelis.
A history of helping
Unlike Israel and Ukraine, Sweden has enjoyed more than 200 years of peace and often lends a hand.
Nicklas Källebring, Senior Consultant for Public Affairs with Ipsos in Sweden, wasn’t surprised the majority of Swedes want their nation to provide a safe haven.
“Sweden has a long tradition of taking in refugees from war zones from different parts of the world. Ukraine is a country that is not that far away from Sweden geographically and that makes the will of the Swedish people to help even stronger.”
On the right side of history?
But, for many, the will to help has limits.
While 74% support their country taking refugees from Ukraine almost the same percentage (72%) of adults, on average, across the 27 countries agreed strongly or somewhat that their country should avoid getting involved militarily in the conflict. And almost two in five (39%) strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement “the problems of Ukraine are none of our business and we should not interfere.”
Many countries have tried not to interfere directly so far, but as the conflict closes in on three months with no end in sight whether that’ll remain the case is foggy.
What is clear? The world has seen what’s happening in Ukraine and there’s strong support for giving Ukrainians shelter from the gathering storm.
