We have been meeting with a number of key organisations this week and continue to be involved with a number of host families and supporting Ukrainians, both still in Europe and having arrived here. Although these numbers for us are not great they give us a very good feel for ‘the state of the nation’ on these issues.
Concerns continue to be raised over the matching process and role of social media in this and we are now working closely with OPORA and Love Bristol, both organisations have direct and very close links into the Ukrainian people on the ground in Eastern Europe looking to come to UK. We are also independently in contact with a number of people working with Ukrainians fleeing from Ukraine.
Numbers crossing the border from Ukraine continue to increase day on day. Romania reports for yesterday that:
On the border with Ukraine, 4,371 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania (increasing 17%), and on the border with the Republic of Moldova, 1,334 Ukrainian citizens entered (increasing 36%).
Since the beginning of this crisis, until April 19, 2022, at 24.00, 751,951 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.
Figures for Wales are interesting for visas granted via the Homes For Ukraine Scheme, for each of our 6 North Wales Counties:
The total figure for Wales is 1,101 visas via Homes For Ukraine Scheme, and 392 Sponsored by the Welsh Government.
We don’t have access to figures for visas applied for at a local level, but the indications are that across the 6 Counties the figure looks to be around 30 host homes, averaging just over 2 Ukrainians per host home, for each County.
In terms of other concerns and key conversations that have been happening:
How best to support hosts - training packages are currently being developed to help hosts prepare, and then manage their households across the spectrum, from relationship, cultural and practical issues to recognising and handling trauma, and where to access appropriate support.
The onwards movement for Ukrainians looking at more permanent housing and job opportunities and Ukrainian led businesses. Being mindful that most adults will be women, a recent piece of research by a major organisation working with Ukrainians coming to UK, suggests a significant number are in finance, IT, graphic design and beauty industries.
We are also very excited about the prospect of partnering with Rotary on some specific projects and programmes to support Ukrainians, as they come into our communities across North wales - more on this in the coming days.
Here is the current Written Statement from Jane Hutt MS (Minister for Social Justice)