A total of 91,137 people have arrived in Italy so far seeking refuge according to the latest data from Italy’s interior ministry.
Half are women, 48,817 according to official data, and there are almost 34,000 children.
Most of them have arrived in four main regions of Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Lazio and Campania.
The head of the Italy’s civil protection agency, Fabrizio Curcio, said it may be necessary to redistribute refugees from these four regions should the numbers increase.
“Obviously, if we can no longer manage these numbers, we will propose transfers,” he said.
Authorities noted that just four destination cities are declared by the majority of arrivals from Ukraine upon entry into Italy: Milan, Rome, Naples and Bologna.
The Lombardy region alone has taken in 40 per cent of all Ukrainian refugees in Italy, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
Most of these are reportedly staying with friends or relatives, with just a small proportion accommodated in state-run reception centres.
Under the Ukraine decree approved at the end of March, the Italian government has provided for an increase in the number of places in the reception system, ensured by city districts and third sector entities, and forms of support for those who have found independent accommodation.
Ukrainians seeking refuge in Italy are also eligible for a special residence permit valid for 12 months.
The special permit doesn’t require holders to apply for a visa and allows them to work, access education and healthcare and claim social security benefits once they arrive in Italy.
According to UNICEF, nearly two out of three Ukrainian children have had to leave their homes.
About 4.8 million of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children have fled their country or moved within it.
Some 186 children have died since the beginning of the war and 344 have been injured, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
