Around 660 Ukrainian refugees are expected to be given shelter in Dumfries and Galloway for up to three years.
This region has welcomed individuals and families fleeing their war-torn country, and there has been an “unprecedented scale of resettlement activity” over the past three months.
Roughly 250 generous householders are taking refugees into their homes as sponsors, while 24 registered social landlord properties and 10 tenancies have also been made available to Ukrainians.
An update report titled ‘Ukrainian Humanitarian Response’ will be tabled at the Dumfries and Galloway full council meeting next Thursday.
The report states: “There is no doubt the additional capacity provided by key services to support the Ukraine crisis has been reactive, responsive, and exceptional.
“Given the magnitude of the work, this activity involves many council services and a coordinated approach is well established to maximise its effectiveness.
“This clearly requires to be enhanced, maintained, and sustained for at least the next 12 months in line with the current promise to allow guests to live in the UK for up to three years and within the current funding commitment of one year.”
The region’s Resettlement Project Board, which has also supported Syrian and Afghan refugees in the area, is scaling up to deal with the larger number of Ukrainians.
The council’s director of communities and chief social work officer will oversee and approve the project’s activities.
By the end of this month, Dumfries and Galloway will have seven welcome hubs – short-term temporary accommodation for refugees across the region.
A welcome, orientation and community workstream team is responsible for the operation of the hubs, including all support and financial assistance to guests and liaison with hotels/landlords.
Arrivals and school registrations are monitored on a weekly basis to ensure that numbers are accurate and correct funding is in place.
The Scottish Government has provided a funding allocation of £325,000 to support capacity within councils and partners to address the support requirements for guests arriving from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the UK Government has agreed to provide £10,500 for each refugee in the Homes for Ukraine Scheme who stays in the region for at least six months. A pro-rata payment is made for those who stay in the region for shorter periods, and the Scottish Government has agreed this same amount for those in its Super Sponsor Scheme.
The first payment for the period to 30 June 2022 has been received, and the second quarter payments is in preparation.
There is an additional allocation for education of between £3,000-£8,755 per child, based on their age.
A payment of £350 per month is made to private hosts/sponsors.
