Refugees from Ukraine – what can we do?
At the time of writing, more than 2.5 million people have fled the conflict in Ukraine to neighbouring countries (UNHCR) in what is Europe's worst refugee crisis of the 21st century, and the worst since the Second World War.
“My cousin Galina, her two-year-old son Timofey, and her step-sister, Anna, have managed to make it across the border and are now taking refuge in Latvia.”
The British government has now reconsidered its Ukrainian immigration policy in light of growing people bloc pressure. In addition to making the process less onerous for family members with passports, a new sponsored humanitarian refugee route has now been announced.
These refugees will be admitted using a government process - details can be seen here. Individuals and organisations can register to sponsor refugees and commit to offering accommodation for six months. Refugees admitted under the scheme will be able to apply for benefits and to seek and take up employment. This will allow them to transition to some measure of financial independence. Sponsors will received a £350 payment per month but should not charge rent. Refugees can register under this scheme from Friday 18 March.
In this first phase of the scheme it will be for sponsors to match with a particular named person or a named family. Sponsors should consider what sort of support you are best able to provide and who you are most comfortable to support. Everyone who applies to this scheme will be subject to a range of checks, including those in the sponsoring household and those coming to the UK.
Holy Spirit Clapham would welcome offers of accommodation and the participation of other local churches, possibly in a joint scheme. Please contact us at refugees@holyspirit-clapham.org.uk for more information.
But while this is sorted out, people who are waiting for admission have to stay where they are, in Poland, in Romania and elsewhere, without jobs, with a bare minimum of belongings, and needing food and shelter.
Our organist and music director, Andrei Lebed, is Ukrainian, and members of his family are among those 2.5 million.
He writes: “In the meantime, my cousin Galina, her two-year-old son Timofey, and her step-sister, Anna, have managed to make it across the border and are now taking refuge in Latvia.
We have arranged for them to have some better accommodation in Poland through our personal networks, however we are concerned about their ability to find work given the influx of refugees in Poland.
As such, they are in need of some basic living funds to help them in Poland until we can get them to the UK (hopefully under the sponsored humanitarian pathway visa, details of which are still unknown) and help them get settled and find work.
As a side note, I should stress that this is likely to be the tip of the iceberg in terms of opportunities to support this crisis, both for Galina, Timofey and Anna, and for others who will hopefully soon also make it over the border and be looking for options to come to the UK.”
To help with their costs, click here to contribute to the church Refugee Fund. Amounts will be paid out when we have a clear means to get the funds to the refugees. The above is a summary of information provided by Andrei and which you can read here.
If you're considering hosting Ukrainian refugees, but want to know more then there 's a free online session provided by the Sanctuary Foundation - you can watch it here
Here’s the Church of England’s toolkit for individuals and churches.
Some useful links for further understanding:
https://www.homesforukraine.org.uk/ (and https://www.homesforukraine.org.uk/uk/ in Ukrainian) for refugees to register