In search of safety, more than 1 million people fled Ukraine in the last week and thousands more are on the move. The UNHCR estimates it could be the biggest refugee crisis of the century.

Most of the refugees crossing the border into Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova are women and children. In pictures, this is the reality for people fleeing the crisis in Ukraine.

People wait with their belongings as they flee Ukraine for Hungary
People wait with their belongings at the Tiszabecs-Tiszaujlak border crossing as they flee Ukraine on February 27, 2022 in Tiszabecs, Hungary. (Photo: Janos Kummer/Getty Images)
Families seeking refuge from conflict in Ukraine board buses at a reception center in Przemysl, Poland
Families seeking refuge from conflict in Ukraine board buses at a reception center in Przemysl, Poland. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)

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Families seeking refuge from conflict in Ukraine board buses at a reception center in Przemysl, Poland
Reception centers have provided food for arrivals from Ukraine into Poland; in the background, a handwritten sign points out the bus for Krakow. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
A mother talks on the phone while holding her young child and waiting on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka.
Maternal multitasking on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. Many of the refugees arriving from Ukraine are women and children. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
People make their way into Poland, having just crossed the frontier from Ukraine.
People make their way into Poland, having just crossed the frontier from Ukraine. Most have been limited to a small amount of food and clothing and are arriving with little more than the bare essentials. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
A scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka.
A scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
Donated goods at a reception center in Przemysl, Poland.
Donated goods at a reception center in Przemysl, Poland. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
Refugees waiting to on the Polish side of the border with Ukraine following Russia's February 2022 invasion
Arrivals to the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. Many of the refugees fleeing violence in Ukraine had previously arrived in the country as refugees from other countries, including Nigeria and Afghanistan. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)
A scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka.
A scene from the Polish side of the border with Ukraine at Medyka. (Photo: Kieran McConville / Concern Worldwide)