Omagh Refugee Hub offers Ukrainian refugees ‘warm welcome’

THE launch of a new scheme that allows people to take those fleeing the Ukrainian invasion into their homes has been welcomed by a local refugee group.

Under the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ initiative launched by the British government this week, people can volunteer to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.

Each household that takes in a refugee family or individual will receive £350 a month. So far, more than 100,000 people across the UK have expressed an interest in taking part in the scheme.

Mary Lafferty, the head of the Fermanagh and Omagh Refugee Hub, says that there are still a lot of questions to be answered about the scheme.

She told the ‘Herald, “The scheme is very much welcomed because we can all see the devastation that is happening in Ukraine and the absolute need because those neighbouring countries cannot cope with that number of people at this speed.

“There are still a lot of questions around it. You could almost say its chaotic because there are so many questions people have and we’re not really getting answers to them.”

One aspect of the scheme which could cause issues is that those who would like to sponsor a refugee must have the name and details of a Ukrainian individual or family in order to participate.

Ms Lafferty said the refugee hub will aim to act as a coordinator between refugee centres in eastern Europe to allow local people to be paired with Ukrainians, but the government has not provided details on how it will work.

“If people in the locality are interested in taking in a family or individual, we’re open if they want to come to us for information or register their interest and we can help introduce them to a Ukrainian at one of the refugee centres,” she said.

Ms Lafferty, who has worked with refugees from Syria in recent years, said the community in Omagh has been “very welcoming” to newcomers in need. “They have been treated with nothing but kindness,” she added.

Despite welcoming the scheme, Ms Lafferty said the government did “drag their feet” in the initial response to the humanitarian crisis. She also noted that some in the local Syrian community she works with have made “unfavourable comparisons” in the treatment they received from the government during their nation’s humanitarian crisis compared to what’s unfolding in Ukraine.

“Everything was slower for them, they were left for a long time before they were offered help. Everything was a slow, slow and painful process,” Ms Lafferty said.

She added, “For the layman at home watching this on the news and seeing it so close to our own borders may bring it home more. The Middle East can seem like some far away land, so that could be a reason people are more focused on this in Europe.”

In order to participate in the ‘Homes for Ukraine ‘ scheme households must commit to taking the refugees in for a minimum of six months as part of the scheme.

Security checks will be conducted on those arriving as part of the scheme as well as the sponsors, with enhanced background checks for those volunteering to take in children or other vulnerable people.

l To express your interest in taking part, visit https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/

The Refugee Hub can be reached on the second floor of Omagh Community House.  The two telephone numbers are 07783706598 and 07912751495. Lines are open 10.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday.