Vernon groups get ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees

Various groups in Vernon are rallying in preparation for the possible arrival of Ukrainian refugees.

Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services, along with Local Immigration Partnership, and Nexus B.C. have put together information on available resources if and when Ukrainian refugees arrive in the region.

While it's not known how many refugees, if any, will arrive in the area, the agencies have coordinated and will connect new arrivals to community support including language lessons, education, work, child and health care, transportation, recreation and housing.

"Many financial and employment resources are being coordinated at the provincial and federal levels," Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services interim executive director Philipp Gruner said in a media release. "However, at the local level we are pleased to announce that all of our services and programming are available for Ukrainian temporary residents and their dependents entering Canada, whether here on open work permits, tourist visas or study permits.

"We have greatly appreciated the offers of support coming in across all communities from people who want to help, many who speak Russian or Ukrainian."

The group has set up two websites where people can offer assistance, from housing to transportation, and also learn about how to support Ukrainians that already live in the community or will be arriving in the future.

According to the United Nations, more than five million Ukrainians have fled the country since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.

North Okanagan residents who want to help newcomers can register with organizers who will then contact them as families arrive and their specific needs are known.

"Local families have been connecting with their relatives and friends helping them escape and come to Canada. Since we have a strong Ukrainian community in Vernon and (the) surrounding area, we have had many volunteers offer support and we are sharing information as it becomes available," Ukrainian community representative Andrea Malysh said in the release.

Malysh has been fundraising locally for humanitarian aid for Ukraine and working with the national and provincial Ukrainian Canadian Congress. She is also re-establishing a local chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and encourages anyone who would like to be involved to contact her at 250-309-6948.

Information for people willing and able to help newcomers can be found here.

Information for Ukrainians already in the Okanagan or soon to arrive can be found here.

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