County prepares to receive Ukrainian refugees

Windsor-essex is gearing up efforts to assist Ukraine and its people in its defence against Russian invasion, from raising money to preparing to welcome refugees.

Fred Francis, executive director of the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, said the agency has been waiting for word from the federal government on how Canada would answer the call.

Late Thursday, the government announced Ukrainians can find a safe haven in Canada using expedited temporary visas for emergency travel.

“That's the information we've been waiting to see, now we'll see how that trickles down to agencies like ours that are settlement agencies across the country,” Francis said.

“Obviously we have to wait and see how many people will be coming to Canada and in what capacity.”

The MCC was the lead agency in settling hundreds of Syrian refugees in 2015-16 and about 30 last year after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Francis said the difference with Ukrainian refugees is they are more likely to have extended family already in Canada.

“Obviously, if they have family sponsors, if they are permanent or temporary (refugees), once we have hard numbers on those aspects we'll be able to figure out what the plan is moving forward at the local level,” Francis said.

Another wild card in the whole situation is the uncertainty about how long the conflict might last.

“We're still waiting and seeing, now we just have to wait and see how that trickles down to the communities and what that would look like,” he said.

“We're ready. We're prepared. This is what we do. This is what we do every single day and on a yearly basis.

“We stand ready to assist people in their hour of need and obviously the government of Canada is doing that and I think the majority of citizens across Canada are eager to help out any way they can, especially when you see all the suffering happening half a world away.”

Francis said the agency he heads will be working closely with the local Ukrainian community and churches.

On Saturday, Windsor's Polish community will host a fundraising pasta dinner at the Dom Polski Hall at 1275 Langlois Ave. Dinner will be served from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 each.

Money raised will go to Lubycza Królewska in Poland, an agency receiving hundreds of Ukrainian refugees daily.