The UK Government has launched a scheme, Home for Ukraine, in an attempt to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. The programme has been rolled this week and allows individuals, charities, community groups, and businesses to bring people escaping the war to safety.
Additionally people in the UK, who will be offering accommodation to Ukrainian refugees through the new scheme will receive a "thank you" payment of £350 per month. Local authorities will also receive £10,500 in extra funding per refugee for support services with more for children of school age.
So far tens of thousands of people have signed up for the scheme helping to tackle Europe’s biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War. More than 2.3m people are said to have fled the war in Ukraine and another 1.9m are displaced within the country, a United Nations official has said.
Read more: Neighbours go on 4,000-mile trip to offer aid at Ukrainian border
Here's everything you need to know about the scheme – how to apply, the security checks, and other ways you can help Ukraine.
What is the Home for Ukraine scheme?
The programme allows individuals, charities, community groups, and businesses across the UK to offer a room rent-free for Ukrainians escaping the war. Those who enter the UK through this scheme will be allowed to stay with members of the public for at least six months.
Sponsored Ukrainians will be granted three years’ leave to remain in the UK with entitlement to work and access to the NHS and other public services while children will be able to go to schools. According to UK Government health secretary Sajid Javid there will be "no cap" on the number of people who can be supported through the scheme.
How can I apply for the scheme?
If you have a named person who you wish to sponsor you should get in contact with them directly and prepare to fill in a visa application with all their details and yours. The visa application will go live on Friday, March 18.
If you don’t know anyone who you wish to sponsor you may wish to get in touch with charities, faith groups, or local community organisations who are starting to make connections between individuals. If you have a spare room or a self-contained and unoccupied accommodation you can record your interest on the Homes for Ukraine webpage.
From March 18 you can apply from outside the UK under this scheme to seek to come to the UK. Either you or your sponsor completes a single form which collects your details and the details of your sponsor. This is your application.
If you hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will not need to attend a visa application centre. If you do not hold a valid Ukrainian international passport you will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre and it is free of charge to apply.
What checks need to be done?
Those arriving will have met standard security checks. Sponsors and all adults in the sponsoring households will also be subject to security checks and may be subject to safeguarding checks too. Your council will want to check that the accommodation you are offering is appropriate in the circumstances.
Do I have to have a relative or connection to Ukraine to take part in the scheme?
No. You don't have to have ties with Ukraine or an Ukrainian to take part in the scheme and Ukrainian refugees won't have to have ties to the UK to apply.
Will the Welsh Government be doing anything differently?
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has said that the Welsh Government has proposed to become "super sponsors" for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. In a joint letter to UK Govrnment levelling up secretary Michael Gove on Sunday Mr Drakeford and the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said the two nations would work to make the process of coming to the two countries faster for Ukrainian refugees.
I can't offer accommodation – what other ways can I help?
If offering accommodation at the moment is not possible you can donate money. Here are a list of organisations you can donate to to help Ukrainians affected by the war:
British Red Cross - Around 4,000 Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers are reaching as many people as possible, distributing 90,000 food and hygiene parcels so far, and helping evacuate people with disabilities. The British Red Cross is a part of Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response.
#HelpUkraine Emergency Appeal - The organisation is working with accredited and registered Ukrainian charities to provide medicines, food, and critical services to support the most vulnerable to overcome the consequences and trauma of war.
Razom - The current emergency response is focused on purchasing medical supplies for critical situations like blood loss and other tactical medicine items.
Unicef - UN humanitarian aid organisation that works to improve children's welfare. At the moment they are accepting donations to ensure every displaced child receives health, nutrition, and water that they need.
UNHCR - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has launched an emergency appeal to send more resources, staff, and aid to Ukraine's neighbouring countries.
Save the Children - The organisation is currently distributing essential supplies and winter kits of clothing and blankets as temperatures plunge below freezing as well as providing cash and vouchers assistance to families to meet basic needs like food, rent, and medicines.
