UK interior minister escalates response to Ukraine humanitarian crisis

UK interior minister escalates response to Ukraine humanitarian crisis
March 7, 2022, 8:45 am

Truly heartbreaking meeting families, women and children at the Poland-Ukraine border in Medyka who've been forced from their homeland by the monstrous Russian invasion. Our expanded Ukraine Family Scheme is now fully open and today I saw some of the first people who'll apply. While we want people to be able to return to their homes at the end of this diabolical invasion, giving thousands of people a route to safety in the UK, reuniting with their families, is absolutely the right thing to do so (File photo: British interior minister Priti Patel official Facebook page)

The US News reported, citing Reuters, The Sun newspaper reported on Monday that British interior minister Priti Patel wants to set up a new scheme to allow more refugees fleeing conflict in Ukraine to come to Britain.

Britain has already announced visa schemes for those who have family in the country or a willing sponsor, but the government has been criticised by opposition lawmakers for not doing enough to help compared with its European neighbours.

Patel told The Sun, citing her own experience visiting the Polish border last week: "I'm urgently escalating our response to the growing humanitarian crisis."

"I am now investigating the legal options to create a humanitarian route. This means anyone without ties to the UK fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will have a right to come to this nation."

We’re extending the hand of friendship to thousands of Ukrainians. With our Ukraine Family Scheme, anyone from Ukraine with a close or extended family member here can apply, while our new sponsorship scheme will provide safety to those without family ties (File photo and text: British interior minister Priti Patel official Facebook page)

The report said that European Union has agreed to grant temporary residency to Ukrainians fleeing the invasion and give them access to employment, social welfare and housing for up to three years.

Russia announces ceasefire, opens humanitarian corridors in Ukraine on March 7

It noted that France and Britain engaged in a diplomatic spat on Sunday over the treatment of Ukrainian refugees stuck in the French port of Calais.

Source: usnews

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