This article provides a summary of the first measures taken by the Czech Ministry of the Interior in response to the large number of Ukrainian citizens arriving in the country as they flee war in Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine has been met with a strong wave of solidarity across the Czech Republic: the responses of the non-governmental sector and civil society will be discussed in a separate article.  

Initial support measures for Ukrainians arriving in the Czech Republic:

• Activation of the Preparedness plan for the migration wave and approval the Programme of assistance to Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war. Under these plans, the state will provide basic assistance such as accommodation, food or social and material assistance. 
• A state of emergency has been declared in the Czech Republic from 4 March. Its aim is to facilitate support for Ukrainians by speeding up the process of issuing residence permits to new Ukrainian arrivals, which in turn will allow priority provision of childcare and health care, as well as access to social and other support services.
• Regional Assistance Centres for Ukraine are being established in all regions. These centres will allow staff of both the Foreigner Police and the Interior Ministry's Department of Asylum and Migration Policy to work together in one place, ensuring smoother processes of registration and residence permit issuance for new arrivals. The centres will also support newcomers with organising accommodation, and register offers of assistance from civil society.
• The Refugee Facilities Administration of the Ministry of Interior has established the Vyšní Lhoty Humanitarian Registration Centre to support Ukrainian citizens without facilities or means of accommodation in the Czech Republic, by offering immediate assistance and accommodation.   
• In cooperation with the Czech Fire Rescue Service, a web guide has been launched to coordinate offers and requests for assistance. 

The Ministry of the Interior has also launched a website dedicated to providing information for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic on residence issues. It shares important information and contacts (e.g., an information phoneline; translations; step-by-step procedures).