An East Belfast woman is encouraging people to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees as she already has a room prepared.
Mental health campaigner Jane Wheeler has already started to make preparations to her home so that she would be able to welcome a mother and child fleeing the war in Ukrainian.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Jane said hoped to see a large community effort throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland to welcome refugees and has encouraged others to open up their doors to people and families in need of help.
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She said that during a tough time in her life she had been taken into the homes of friends and would like to extend that kindness to others who are going through unimaginable circumstances.
Jane said: "Just under 3 weeks ago Russia declared war against Ukraine and since then many of us have watched in horror as attacks on the country have seen more than 2.5 million people flee the country.
"I was aware that although aid was the most immediate need, the exodus of so many people from one country was going to require the ‘world’ to step up to help.
"I have my own personal reasons for wanting to open my home. I once found myself in a crisis situation with nowhere to live. I was fortunate that someone gave me a room and a safe space to call home for as long as I needed it. I really want to be able to do that for someone else and provide that shelter for others in their time of need.
"I’ve now managed to register on the Government’s website which was launched today, but I’m aware that we are in a unique and slightly different situation in NI, and perhaps we need an organisation here to take responsibility for coordinating the placement of Ukrainian families in homes here.
"I understand however that some churches are discussing what action they can take, but I believe we need a central plan which draws all these strands of community activity together for this to work efficiently and cohesively.
"We need to consider the extreme circumstances these people have experienced, and the level of support most of them will need to settle and work through their trauma. We must ensure we have the support in place to meet the needs they will be arriving here with. If not, we will simply traumatise them further, and that is not an option.
"We need to ensure there are sufficient resources to make this happen, bearing in mind that the mental health resources here are already under-funded.
"Whatever we do, we must act urgently to be prepared for the imminent influx of these displaced and broken people."
UNICEF has said that over 75,000 children have become refugees in Ukraine each day since the start of the conflict.
People in Northern Ireland can offer to sponsor and house people fleeing from conflict in Ukraine who have obtained a visa through a new government scheme.
It is part of a UK-wide scheme to receive those fleeing the Russian invasion, called the 'Homes for Ukraine Scheme', and households will be offered £350 per month to take part.
The Executive Office has strongly encouraged expressions of interest, and these can be made through an online portal.
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