People in Bath and the surrounding area are being encouraged to support efforts to help those involved in the crisis unfolding in Ukraine following the ongoing invasion by Russia.
The Roman Baths has been lit in blue and yellow to support Ukraine | Photo © B&NES Council
Many residents have been asking what they can do to help those suffering in the country.
Donations are being encouraged to organisations including the British Red Cross and UNICEF, and money donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is being matched pound for pound by the government, up to £20million.
Bath & North East Somerset Council says it has written to the government to confirm it stands ready to resettle refugees via the government’s Humanitarian sponsorship route.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People, Communities & Culture, said: “Working with Bath Welcomes Refugees, we think that the effective on-the-ground support is best provided by established organisations, such as the Red Cross, who are experienced in working in such situations.
“Initially there are likely to be enough supplies more easily accessible in Poland and surrounding countries, rather than being brought from the UK.
“Needs will become clearer as more people leave Ukraine and move to different areas.
“So, please, donate what you can to the British Red Cross , which has launched an emergency appeal to help Ukraine, as has UNICEF.
“Both charities will be updating their web pages with news on the work their teams are doing, and how support will be used to help people. You can also donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, council leader, said, “On Tuesday I wrote to the government to say that the council stands ready to resettle refugees via the government’s Humanitarian sponsorship route.
“We need to redouble our efforts to find suitable housing and we have made a renewed appeal for people to offer accommodation if possible.”
The council is asking residents who can offer self-contained accommodation with a private entrance and its own bathroom and kitchen facilities, which is available for at least a year, at the Local Housing Allowance level, to email [email protected] . Offers will be kept on file ready for when requests start to come in.
Councillor Romero added: “This must be a desperately worrying time for residents who have friends and families in Ukraine.
“We are committed to the council doing whatever it can to respond to this unprecedented and heart-breaking situation.
“We are very fortunate in having so many excellent local partners, such as Bath Welcomes Refugees and Julian House, who we have worked with on previous humanitarian crises, and we have strong and generous communities that rally round and give help and support.”
If you’d like to make a donation, you can find more information using these links:
