Carolyn Hinton
Posts by Carolyn Hinton:
Homes for Ukraine – Another Update
Below is a further update (dated 25th March) from Philip Atkins on Ukraine. For information on charitable donations, resettlement and asylum in Staffordshire, etc., see previous posts.
“We have all been horrified by the events that have unfolded in Ukraine and as a county, we stand with all those affected.
Staffordshire as a place have a proud history of helping those who have had no choice but to flee war or persecution. Only recently we welcomed almost 200 men, women and child evacuees from Afghanistan. We have supported them to find permanent accommodation in Staffordshire and across the country, and many of the children are attending Staffordshire schools as the families rebuild their lives here in the UK.
The overwhelming offers of support locally for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates once again our tradition of welcome. The county council stands ready to work with partners to support and help Ukrainian evacuees under the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme. We are already working with central government to coordinate and ensure that the right help will go to the right people and in the right places.
As we know from recent experience of the arrival of those fleeing Afghanistan, local coordination is needed to ensure that help reaches those who need it most. To achieve this, a Tactical Coordinating Group [TCG] has been established under the auspices of the Staffordshire Resilience Forum. This will organise and support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent wide response to this situation.
In the meantime please be patient as they start to understand and work through the details of the programme.”
Update on Supporting Refugees from Ukraine
This is an update (from Philip Atkins) on Ukraine, and some information on charitable donations, resettlement and asylum in Staffordshire. See also previous post about “Homes for Ukraine Scheme”.
Financial Donations:
Residents wishing to make a financial donation can do so through a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Residents can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal by visiting: Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal. Residents donating to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal will help DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families. The Government has so far matched, pound-for-pound, £25 million of public donations to this appeal.
There are lots of other organisations across the UK and internationally who have launched appeals, and residents may wish to donate through these organisations instead of the Disasters Emergency Committee. There are some simple steps residents can take to ensure their money is safe and being used effectively, including:
§ Check the charity’s name and registration number using the search the charity register tool
§ Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered, which means they are regulated by The Charity Commission
§ Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
§ If in doubt, ask the charity or organisation for more information
Donating Essential Supplies:
One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through. Organisations across the UK are gathering essential supplies, such as clothes, first aid and sanitary products. Many charities and community groups will have lists of items they need. Charities with experience of responding to disasters are best placed to reach victims on the ground.
Welcoming Refugees:
Ukraine Family Scheme Visa: Guidance for family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme can be found here: Apply for a Ukraine Family Scheme visa – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals, UK settled persons and certain others to come to or stay in the UK.