SCOTLAND has said it stands ready to offer sanctuary to Ukrainians as pressure builds on the UK Government to welcome refugees fleeing from the war.
Charities have called for the UK to take immediate steps to open its borders, such as lifting all visa requirements for Ukrainians to enter the UK, similar to the move announced by Ireland.
The Scottish Government has pledged to play a part in any resettlement programme to bring UK nationals to the UK, while councils across Scotland said they would “open our arms” to those in need.
READ MORE: Petition urging Priti Patel to ensure safe passage for Ukrainian refugees wins huge support
A poll by YouGov published yesterday found 76% of Scots would support the introduction of a resettlement scheme – the highest figure of any UK region.
Six out of ten Scots also said the UK has a “moral obligation” to offer asylum to those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Gary Christie, head of policy, communications and communities at the Scottish Refugee Council, called on the UK Government to match the Scottish public’s commitment to help refugees and people seeking asylum live in safety.
He said: “The scenes we’ve all seen unfold in Ukraine over the past week are truly shocking. Our thoughts are with the people in Ukraine, those who have been displaced and the Ukrainian and Russian communities in Scotland.
“We need to see an urgent internationally co-ordinated humanitarian response that matches the scale of the crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
“As European countries open their borders to those fleeing the conflict so must we. The announcement of extending the visas of Ukrainians already in the UK is welcome but the UK Government needs to go much further and faster.
“Immediate steps must include lifting all visa requirements for Ukrainians to fly to the UK as Ireland has just announced.”
Tens of thousands of people have signed an open letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel urging her to publish a plan outlining how the UK will ensure safe and legal passage for Ukrainian refugees.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon slams Home Office as 'Ukrainians blocked from entering UK via Paris'
Linda Allison, Scottish chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said: “My family, if some of them are needing to get out and get to the border at Poland, I would be willing to help them get to the UK.
“But if they don’t have a visa they can’t get in. So our next step will be lobbying MPs to make sure any Ukrainian refugees who have relatives in the UK can enter the UK visa-free.”
Yesterday the UN refugee agency said nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into Poland and other neighbouring countries. Poland has declared its border open to fleeing Ukrainians, even for those without official documents.
The Home Office has said its immediate priority was British nationals and their families caught up in the Ukrainian conflict, but it would work with international partners on issues including migration as the situation develops.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the UK Government has not made it aware of any plans for Ukraine-specific refugee resettlement.
She added: “Scotland stands ready to offer refuge and sanctuary.
“If a resettlement programme is announced, or Ukraine nationals are accepted as part of existing programmes, the Scottish Government will work to support our local authorities and services to enable them to offer places and support refugees arriving.”
Alison Evison, president of the local government umbrella body Cosla, said: “We in Scottish local government stand ready to open our arms to those in Ukraine and help them in whatever way we can.”
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