Support line for refugees fleeing war in Ukraine
NHS National Services Scotland’s National Contact Centre (NCC) has launched a helpline to provide support for people fleeing Ukraine who are coming to Scotland.
Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the helpline will support people displaced by the war to travel safely to Scotland via the UK Government’s visa scheme.
However, the service will also provide invaluable information to local authorities, councils and other agencies in advance of people arriving in Scotland, which will be of real benefit to help them settle in more quickly.
Martin Morrison, operations director, National Services Scotland said:“Our national contact centre is well placed to respond to this crisis.
“We are able to mobilise new services quickly and provide human connection during times of difficulty, as we have done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our team’s empathetic approach and first class service will hopefully make the lives of those who have been devastated by the war, just that little bit easier.”
This new helpline, which was operational in less than a week, went live at the end of March and lines will be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
The Scottish Government has vowed to support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, and last month became the first super sponsor in the UK scheme for Ukrainians seeking refuge.
The Scottish Government will provide people fleeing the war with temporary accommodation until a longer-term place can be found.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland could welcome 3,000 Ukrainians immediately.
She added that it would later take in“at least a proportionate share”of those coming to the UK.
Ms Sturgeon said:“We intend to fully harness the thousands of individual offers from people in Scotland willing to provide Ukrainians with a home.
“Nearly three million people have now fled the war in Ukraine, the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.”
Renfrewshire Council has also stated that it is ready to“assist in all appropriate ways with humanitarian support and refuge to the people of Ukraine in this ordeal”.
Councillors also agreed to make a donation of £10,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee to Ukraine.