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November 12, 2021

Eastern Europe Refugee Crisis Intensifies as Poland Blocks Border, Belarus Issues Threats
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A top U.N. official in Belarus says the situation at the
Belarusian-Polish border is catastrophic as thousands of refugees and
asylum seekers - many from the Middle East - are braving freezing cold
temperatures with no adequate shelter, food or medical care as they
attempt to cross into Poland to enter the European Union.

Mulusew Mamo: "As you can see, the situation is very catastrophic. The
next day, it will only get worse, I think. One needs to do something. We
have already started providing humanitarian aid by the Red Cross. It is
something we will continue doing for a few days. What we don't want to
see is a camp forming here."

Poland has amassed troops on the border to block entry for the refugees.
This comes as Polish and other European leaders are accusing Belarus of
trying to destabilize its neighbors. At least eight refugees have died
so far.

On Thursday, the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, threatened
to cut off natural gas supplies to Europe if the EU proceeds with plans
to issue new sanctions against Belarus. In a sign of support for
Belarus, Russia flew two nuclear-capable bomber planes over Belarus on
Wednesday and Thursday.


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