Ukraine-Russia: Scottish charity 'inundated' with offers of shelter for Ukrainian refugees

A Scotland based refugee hosting programme says it has been “inundated” with hundreds of offers from people hoping to help provide shelter for those displaced by the crisis in Ukraine.

More than 800 people have signed up to the Room for Refugees initiative since the Russian invasion began, with over 300 joining in the first three days of March.

The hosting network connects people with available accommodation to refugees and asylum seekers in need.

As recently as last autumn, it was only attracting around 35 new hosts a month, but the upsurge in registrations shows how events in Ukraine have spurred people to help.

More than one million have crossed Ukraine’s borders since Russia launched its first barrage of strikes on February 24, and the United Nations has warned it could lead to the “largest refugee crisis this century”, with as many as four million people fleeing the country in the weeks and months ahead.

It is expected the UK could welcome more than 200,000 refugees from Ukraine as part of the mass human exodus from the east European nation.

In the face of criticism the UK Government was not doing enough, a scheme allowing close relatives of Ukrainian nationals settled in the UK to enter the country is being widened to include adult parents, grandparents, children over the age of 18, and siblings. UK firms will also be able to sponsor a Ukrainian entering the country.

A woman and a young boy sit in a bus before fleeing the Ukrainian city of Debaltseve. Picture: Manu Brabo/AFP/Getty

Positive Action in Housing, the Glasgow-based charity that runs the Room for Refugees programme, said it had been “inundated” with letters, volunteering enquiries, and offers of shelter for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 834 people have registered to host refugees since the start of the crisis.

Robina Qureshi, its chief executive officer, said: “The number of new registered hosts on the Room for Refugees network are very much related to political events in the world.

“As uncertainty continues in our world, it is up to civic society, and decent people everywhere, to reach out, connect to our own humanity and do good.

“Our charity's support base continues to grow and now numbers several thousand people and organisations from all walks of life and experience.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there should not be a limit placed on the number of refugees the UK takes in from Ukraine.

She said she would not put an "arbitrary number" on how many could seek safety in Scotland, and pointed out the Republic of Ireland had scrapped all visa requirements, with the EU agreeing to let in refugees for up to three years without first having to seek asylum.

The Scottish Refugee Council also said the UK measures “ just doesn’t go far enough”.

It explained: “Changes to existing visa routes like this are simply inadequate to bring refugees to safety from a war zone. We need to see the UK Government offer solutions which match the gravity of mass displacement from a conflict on our doorstep.

“The UK Government must follow Ireland and waive all visa requirements for Ukrainians and offer them a temporary protection status.”

The Scottish Government is working with local authorities across the country on the practicalities of how to house people escaping the conflict.

It comes as charities have thanked people for donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Ukraine after it raised more than £6 million in Scotland in under 24 hours.

The funds will help member charities urgently respond to the crisis and provide people caught up in the conflict with shelter, food, water and medical support.

Since the appeal launched on Thursday, more than £6m has been raised in Scotland as people rushed to donate, including £2m from the Scottish Government.

Across the UK the appeal has raised more than £55m, including £20m donated by the UK Government as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) charities and their local partners in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries will now use the funds to scale up their response to meet the immediate needs of people fleeing the violence.

Charities have urged people to keep donating as help is likely to be needed for months and years to come.

Marie Hayes of the British Red Cross, who is chairwoman of the DEC Ukraine Appeal in Scotland, said: “We are hugely grateful to everyone across Scotland who has so rapidly and generously supported the appeal.

“We also thank the Scottish and UK Government and, in particular, the lead taken by all major political parties at Holyrood to encourage the public to donate.

“Giving through the DEC is the most effective way to get the right assistance to the right people.

“While wanting to collect clothes and other items for people in need is laudable, the things people give today may not be what people need tomorrow and aid workers say they can’t use much of what is arriving. Donating through the DEC is the most helpful way people can assist.

“While we have raised an astonishing amount in the first day of the appeal, we urge people to continue donating as the need is great and the response needed is likely to run into months and years. Please help now.”

The DEC said £10 provides essential hygiene supplies for one person for one month, £20 provides emergency food for one for a month, and £50 provides blankets for ten people.

Anyone who wants to donate can do so online at dec.org.uk, by phoning 0370 60 60 900, or by texting SUPPORT to 70150 to donate £10.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven't already please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.