Ukraine war: More than 4.9 million Ukrainians flee war, says UN

Morethan4.9millionUkrainianshave fled their country following the Russian invasion, theUNsaid Monday as it warned of the risks of women and child refugees being exploited.

UNHCR, the United Nations' refugee agency, said 4,934,415Ukrainianshad left the country since Russia invaded on February 24 -- a figure up 65,396 on Sunday's total.

TheUN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) says nearly 215,000 third-country nationals -- largely students and migrant workers -- have also escaped to neighbouring countries, meaningmorethanfivemillionpeople in all have fled Ukraine since thewarbegan.

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It is one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises ever.

Women and children account for 90 percent of those who escaped, with men aged 18 to 60 eligible for military call-up and unable to leave.

Nearly two-thirds of all Ukrainian children have been forced from their homes, including those still inside the country.

"Refugees from Ukraine, the vast majority women and children, face increased risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and human trafficking," UNHCR said.

"We're on the ground at the border points and beyond, taking preventive measures."

Morethan2.75millionUkrainian refugees have fled to Poland. Nearly 740,000 reached Romania.

UNHCR figures show nearly 645,000Ukrainiansfled in February, with nearly 3.4milliondoing so in March and nearly 900,000 leaving so far this month.

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Beyond the refugees, the IOM estimates 7.1millionpeople have left their homes but are still in Ukraine.

"In this season of renewal, our thoughts are with all those who have been forced tofleetheir homes and have had to rebuild the life they left behind," the UNHCR said.

Before the invasion, Ukraine had a population of 37millionin the regions under government control, excluding Russia-annexed Crimea and the pro-Russian separatist-controlled regions in the east.

Here is a breakdown of how many Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR:

Poland

Nearly six out of 10 Ukrainian refugees -- 2,780,913 so far -- have crossed into Poland.

Many people who go to Ukraine's immediate western neighbours travel on to other states in Europe's Schengen open-borders zone.

Romania

A total of 743,880Ukrainiansentered the EU member state, including a large number who crossed over from Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine.

The vast majority are thought to have gone on to other countries.

Russia

Another 522,404 refugees have sought shelter in Russia.

In addition, 105,000 people crossed into Russia from the separatist-held pro-Russian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine between February 18 and 23.

Hungary

A total of 461,539Ukrainianshave entered Hungary.

Moldova

The Moldovan border is the closest to the major port city of Odessa.A total of 423,852Ukrainianshave crossed into the non-EU state, one of the poorest in Europe.

Most of those who have entered the former Soviet republic of 2.6millionpeople have moved on but an estimated 100,000 remain, including 50,000 children -- of whom only 1,800 are enrolled in schools.

Slovakia

A total of 337,311 people crossed Ukraine's shortest border into Slovakia.

Belarus

Another 23,469 refugees have made it north to Russia's close ally Belarus.