Bath “stands ready” to resettle Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict, according to Bath and the North East Somerset Council.
The authority has written to the government to confirm that it is ready to resettle the refugees through the government’s humanitarian sponsorship channel. Council leader Kevin Guy is appealing to residents of Bath to offer accommodation if suitable.
Mr Guy said: ‘We need to redouble our efforts to find suitable accommodation and we have appealed again to people to offer accommodation if possible.
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The council asks residents who can offer self-contained accommodation with a private entrance and its own bathroom and kitchen, available for at least one year, at local housing benefit level, to email quality@ bathnes.gov.uk They say they will keep the information ready for when inquiries start coming in.
Many residents of Bath and North East Somerset are asking what they can do to help alleviate the appalling suffering triggered by Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine. The council encourages donations to established organizations such as the British Red Cross and UNICEF. If people donate to the Disaster Emergency Committee, the money will be matched pound for pound by the government, up to £20million.
Councilor Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Communities and Culture, said: “Working with Bath welcomes refugees, we believe that effective support on the ground is best provided by established organisations, such as the Red Cross, who are used to working in such situations.
“Initially, there will probably be enough supplies that are more easily accessible in Poland and neighboring countries, rather than being imported from the UK. The needs will become clearer as more people leave the Ukraine and will travel to different regions.
“So please donate what you can to the British Red Cross, who have launched an emergency appeal to help Ukraine, as has UNICEF. Both charities will update their web pages with news about the work their teams are doing and how the support will be used to help people. You can also donate to the Disaster Emergency Committee.
In another show of solidarity, the Roman baths were lit up in blue and yellow – Ukraine’s national colors, once again.
Ms Romero added: “This must be a desperately worrying time for residents who have friends and families in Ukraine. We pledge that the council will do everything in its power to respond to this unprecedented and heartbreaking situation.
“We are very fortunate to have so many great local partners, such as Bath Welcomes Refugees and Julian House, with whom we have worked in previous humanitarian crises, and we have strong and generous communities who are stepping up and providing aid and support.”
Over the weekend, hundreds of Bath residents gathered outside the Abbey to demonstrate against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-08 12:56:54
