Council urged to co-ordinate Ukrainian appeal efforts

FERMANAGH and Omagh District Council is being urged to organise an inter-agency meeting to see how best to co-ordinate local efforts to help Ukrainian refugees.

Community groups, charities and sports organisations across the area have been making efforts to collect non-perishable food supplies, clothes and medicines for the people of the eastern European country during the past week. Now the council has been urged by Omagh town Sinn Fein councillor, Barry McElduff, to bring together representatives from the community and voluntary sectors, churches and business organisations to lead a co-ordinated community response.

Mr McElduff says he has been prompted by concerned local people offering help and wishing to donate, money, clothes and other provisions.

“Individuals and groups will take their own initiatives as people in our community have always done,” he added.

“Our community has always been very generous at times of need. But there is undoubtedly a leadership role to be played by our Council.

Cllr McElduff added that while the situation is continuing to develop, the council needed to be ready now to help the relief effort.