Ukraine Civil Society Forum thanks the people of Killarney who have so hospitably provided sanctuary to refugees
Ukraine Civil Society Forum thanks the people of Killarney who have so hospitably provided sanctuary to refugees
12 October 2022 - The Ukraine Civil Society Forum has made the following statement in response to the Government’s decision to reverse the planned relocation of refugees from Ukraine from Killarney, Co. Kerry to Westport, Co. Mayo:“For the families who have made Killarney a home for the past six months we offer our support and welcome today's announcement of a resolution.
“This situation is a symptom of an approach focused on bed management that does not bring into its decision making the impact on vulnerable women and children and a wider policy in relation to refugees that neglects long term planning.
“Such a proposed move is retraumatising and would cause untold damage to the children. We need to ensure that this does not happen again.
“The Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth are doing herculean work trying to find shelter for so many. This is the worst humanitarian crisis since the WW2 and is unprecedented so local efforts to find a better solution are to be warmly welcomed and we hope facilitated by the government.
“We must learn from Killarney. This is unfortunately not an isolated incident, and it should not be repeated. The people of Killarney and their representatives saved the day. We need that spirit. It is going to take a national ‘meitheal’ to get us through this winter as missiles strike more and more cities across the Ukraine. We need everybody, working together, planning strategically, maintaining standards and never forgetting the people at the centre of this war whose world has been upended.
“Temporary Protection has now been extended to March 2024. We need to commence sustainable planning for accommodating people for the next 2 years and hotels are not suitable for families. We urge the government to immediately increase the manpower at a senior level to the Dept of Children and to the local authorities so the capacity to manage the immediate crisis of beds is matched with a capacity to plan for the future that recognises refugees as people, traumatised and needing security.
“As a nation we can provide stable shelter so children can go to school and parents can work if we have medium term planning, humane systems and we support and resource local communities.”
ENDS
For more information contact Q4 Public Relations: Sabrina D’Angelo, 086 032 3397, sabrina@q4pr.ie / Ronan Farren, 087 934 0386, ronan@q4pr.ie
Notes for editors:
Ukraine Civil Society Forum (UCSF) is an initiative convened by civil society acting collectively to support the emergency response and welcome of refugees from Ukraine to Ireland. This provides a space for the national coordination of civil society and community responses, connecting into the State’s emergency response structures and ongoing reception and integration. The UCSF shares information, avoids duplication, identifies trends and patterns, including gaps in service provision, works together to share solutions, and escalates issues where necessary to the Government. Members are +68 organisations working in Ireland.
Forum Membership List