NEARLY 800 Ukrainians have been welcomed and given shelter in Dumfries and Galloway since the war with Russia broke out.
The largest number of these people arrived in 2022, with smaller intakes of adults and kids travelling here in 2023 and 2024.
As of October 31 this year, there were 270 Ukrainian guests (and 101 cases) still living within the community, which includes 177 adults and 93 children.
This information was shared in a report which will be tabled at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s social work committee next Tuesday.
It explains how The Homes for Ukraine Scheme was launched in March 2022 to ensure people fleeing the war against Ukraine felt welcomed and received the right services and support.
The document states: “Since March 2022 nearly 23,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Scotland in search of safety. The Home for Ukraine scheme was opened to Ukrainian nationals who lived in the Ukraine before January 1 2022 and to their immediate family members. The scheme allows them to be sponsored to live in the UK.
“Additionally, the Scottish Government introduced the Super Sponsor Scheme that was designed to provide a quicker and safer route for displaced people from the Ukraine to come to a place of sanctuary. It removes the need for applicants to be matched to an individual sponsor prior to being given permission to travel to the UK.
“Since our welcome accommodation of seven contracted hubs opened in 2022, we have welcomed 796 Ukrainians to our region with 576 arriving in 2022, 190 in 2023, and 30 to date in 2024.”
Hundreds of households across Dumfries and Galloway have also opened their doors to the Ukrainian refugees.
The council data report reveals that, since 2022, 350 people have registered to become hosts under either the Homes for Ukraine or the Super Sponsor Scheme.
As of October 31 this year, there were 40 householders still actively hosting — 33 as Super Sponsors and seven under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
In the last year or so, Ukrainian refugees have also been offered courses to improve their English language skills — and then find employment.
It was reported in February last year, that 183 Ukrainians were receiving adult learning support to communicate better in English, from beginner level in the community to advanced with classes also being offered at Dumfries and Galloway College.
