The City of Edinburgh Council is purchasing a marquee to add to their Welcome Hub as part of the Scottish Government’s strategy to welcome Ukrainian refugees.
The new facility will be used to make sure there is sufficient capacity as Scotland begins to see more refugees come from Ukraine.
The Welcome Hub, currently based in Gogaburn House, is a central location for refugees to come either with or without sponsors to get information about their status and set up in the country.
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Currently, there are volunteers at Edinburgh Airport to direct new arrivals to the hub. When refugees arrive and pass through security and customs, volunteers can direct them to free public transport to the Welcome Hub.
If they arrive outside the hours there are volunteers, signage directs refugees to a helpline that can organise overnight accommodation or transportation.
The Welcome Hub is designed to be a central location for refugees to receive information and aid as part of the Scottish government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.
At the Welcome Hub, refugees and, if they have one, their sponsor, will be asked some questions to confirm their identity before giving them a rucksack with some useful items for life in the UK. Including a UK adapter, Sim card and toiletries.
Those eligible for a resettlement grant will also get their first payment at the Welcome Hub.
The new marquee is being hired alongside all the necessary equipment to expand the capacity of the Welcome Hub. Including generators, furniture and toilets.
The council have allocated £61,638 for its acquisition on their public contracts website.
A Council spokesperson said: “A marquee has been hired for an Edinburgh Welcome Hub for Ukrainian refugees, to ensure that the hub has sufficient capacity, as part of the Scottish Government’s Welcome Hub programme.”
