Refugees find safe haven in N.L.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Some looked tired, but there were smiles on the faces of Ukrainian refugees who made their way through the arrivals area of St. John's International Airport Monday night.
Smiles have been hard to come by for Ukrainians fleeing their country under the danger of Russian bombs and ground assaults.
Many of their homes and communities have been left in rubble since the war began on Feb. 24.
One hundred and sixty-six Ukrainian refugees arrived on a charter flight from Poland and were welcomed by Premier Andrew Furey, Immigration Minister Gerry Byrne, the Association for New Canadians, the Canadian Red Cross and many others.
A number of residents arrived at the airport to show support, clapping and shouting welcome as the newcomers passed through the crowd.
Sofiia Shapoval was patiently waiting for her mother, Natalia, and little sister, Zoriana, 9, to arrive. When Zoriana saw Sofiia through the crowd she began jumping excitedly and waving her hand.
Sofiia came to Memorial University last September to study human genetics. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, she began trying to get her mother and sister to the province.
“I was at the other side of the world and wondered how could I help them,” Sofiia said. “But now they are here and I'm so glad to see them.”
Stan, a 28-year-old mining engineer, will go to a mining job in central Newfoundland. He said he was in Europe when the war broke out and was going to return to fight, but his father, an officer in the Ukrainian army, told him not to.
“He said, ‘As I am in this war, you go and have your chance for your future,'” Stan said. “I am very thankful for my father, and I'm worried about him.”
“To our knowledge, we are the first state actor in North America to organize a humanitarian airlift of Ukrainians to our shores.” Andrew Furey Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
TRANSPORTED TO ACCOMMODATIONS
After clearing customs and speaking with the premier and others at the airport's arrival area, the Ukrainians were transported to their awaiting accommodations.
Megan Morris, executive director of the Association for New Canadians, said they will work with the newcomers to help them find housing, place their children in school, teach them English and match them with available jobs.
“It's a pretty amazing time and you can tell by all the folks around us that there's so many people contributing to this effort,” Morris said. “Our organization is a resettlement agency, so this is the stuff we do all the time, and our folks are preparing to do the work they normally do to support this effort.”
Rosanna Compagnon showed up at the airport toting a welcome sign and an eagerness to let the Ukrainians know they are cared about.
“I've been thinking of all the terrible things happening in Ukraine, and I thought I'd come out and show my love and support for them, and see if there's anything I can do to cheer them up,” Compagnon said. “I thought even my little bit would help.”
Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 at targets across Ukraine — not just the disputed eastern regions most suspected Russia would focus on — and in the more than two months since have killed many civilians, and levelled communities and homes. Despite strong resistance and resilience by the Ukrainian army, the death, destruction and chaos has been devastating on the Ukrainian people.
“As atrocities of war are inflicted on Ukraine by Russia, the people of this province are standing up and standing tall,” Furey said in the House of Assembly earlier on Monday. “We stand with Ukraine.
“The world has been reminded of what is the true face of courage and resolve in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As his nation fights for freedom, we will do all we can to support and ease the burdens of Ukrainian families.”
HOMEGROWN RESPONSE
After the war began, the enormous humanitarian crisis developed quickly as people fled cities and towns pounded by bombs and invading forces. Furey said the province stepped up immediately with a made-in-Newfoundland and Labrador response.
The government announced on March 17 that it had expanded its Ukrainian Family Support Desk initiative to Poland to undertake direct outreach to people who had fled Ukraine and who may be looking for information about coming to Newfoundland and Labrador.
“To our knowledge, we are the first state actor in North America to organize a humanitarian airlift of Ukrainians to our shores,” Furey said. “Our understanding and our place on the world stage is reflected in this deliberate act.”
All arriving Ukrainians have been granted the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Visa that legally allows them to live and work in Canada for up to three years. Ukrainians arriving in Newfoundland and Labrador under the emergency travel visa will also receive provincial Medical Care Plan and Prescription Drug Plan coverage.
With Monday evening's arrival of Ukrainian refugees and the hopes that more will arrive in the weeks to come, the provincial government is reminding residents how they can help welcome and support the newcomers.
Residents can help by identifying job opportunities for Ukrainians and sending those positions to ukrainianfamily@gov.nl.ca; sending offers of accommodation and donations of goods and/or services to the Association for New Canadians (ANC) Ukraine support team at ukraine@ancnl.ca or 709-325-0881 and donating to ANC's new Canadians emergency fund.
The ANC is also recruiting volunteers to participate as interpreters (Ukrainian and other languages); family match program participants (volunteers are matched with newcomers to help with English as a second language learning through friendship; activities could include exploring the city, sightseeing, going for walks and sharing meals together); and conversation circle partners (newcomers are given the opportunity to start practising conversational English). Those interested in volunteering are asked to register for orientation by emailing volunteer@ancnl.ca.
The ANC is searching for a donations centre to house physical donations, such as furniture and clothing. Residents are asked to hold onto donations until a space is found.