More than 300 Ukrainians who arrived in Winnipeg on Monday are now starting the complex, if not simpler than usual, process of settling in after fleeing their homes amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
Nic Krawetz, a volunteer at the Canadian Ukrainian Congress, has spent weeks helping Ukrainian newcomers adjust to life in Manitoba and is preparing for more along the way.
“They have no home to return to and will be restarted here,” said Krawetz, who on Monday helped coordinate the UCC’s warm welcome to newcomers at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.
“Seeing them, seeing them smiling, seeing their kids when they leave the arrivals area and gifting them with a stuffed animal and a welcome gift … That makes it all worth it.”
He says that as of Tuesday, more than 700 Ukrainians have arrived since mid-April, including 328 who arrived on Monday on a charter flight from Poland. Krawetz said at least three more charter flights are needed in Winnipeg.
Newcomers arrived at the airport on Monday with a warm welcome from dozens of fans. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)
He said more than 240,000 Ukrainians had applied to come to Canada and so far 30,000 had arrived across the country.
Krawetz said those already here have three main priorities: housing, jobs and childcare.
“Many of them are very eager to work because they want to support themselves and their relatives in Ukraine or those who fled,” he said.
“Finding a job is absolutely essential and is a lifesaver not only for them but for their whole family.”
Ukrainian newcomers are staying at the province-run Ukrainian refugee reception center in a hotel near the airport. They have access to a range of settlement resources, such as employment, education, counseling, health, housing, language, and other services.
This is in addition to the federal emergency travel authorization program between Canada and Ukraine, which includes a work visa that activates access to a provincial health card and other services.
A family boarded a charter flight at Winnipeg airport on Monday. Krawetz said that for many long-term housing agreements, employment and childcare are paramount. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)
The federal government also announced a temporary revenue assistance program on Monday. Starting next week, every Ukrainian adult newcomer who comes to Canada through CUAET will be eligible to apply for $ 3,000 and $ 1,500 per child.
Experts working with refugees say the concerted push to bring newcomers to Canada and give them immediate access to so much support is unusual and promising as a model for future refugee crises.
“Our industry also feels a little more confident about how we can provide these other additional supports now that at least basic income is being met,” said Emily Halldorson, Response Coordinator in Ukraine at the Newcomer Services Association. Manitoba. Organizations.
Halldorson said that despite all the government’s support, volunteers are still needed to help with translation and other tasks, such as transportation and helping people get to the appointments.
The federal government on Monday announced a one-time financial assistance program that will allow Ukrainian refugees to apply for $ 3,000 adults and $ 1,500 for children arriving through the CUAET program. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)
Another need is funding and food donations for furry friends that newcomers have brought with them.
“It’s more or less the same thing we see in natural disaster response in Canada: people don’t want to leave their pets and they won’t leave their pets,” said Nicole Frey, founder of the Animal Food Bank in Winnipeg. the CBC guest host Up to Speed. Stephanie Cram on Tuesday.
Frey said about 30 cats, 10 dogs and a hamster arrived Monday with their owners. Tuesday involved buying and leaving a hamster cage and cat-scratching sticks at the reception center, Frey said.
At the moment, volunteers are trying to keep newcomers up to date on municipal sterilization and castration statutes, licenses and other rules.
The Animal Food Bank is run by volunteers and does not receive government funding, Frey said. The organization accepts pet food and financial donations through its website.
Krawetz says several more charter flights full of Ukrainians from places like Poland are needed. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press)
Krawetz said there is still more work to be done to prepare for the next wave of Ukrainian newcomers.
He said those who arrived on Monday were overwhelmed and grateful when they got off the plane.
“They know they’re safe, they know they can start again here,” he said. “A lot of people’s tears, a lot of smiles and our goal was to make them really comfortable and comfortable and process them quickly.”
He was also personally emotional for Krawetz, whose family has been directly affected by the war.
“It was very humble and touching because Manitoba is currently leading the country, I would say, in supporting the newcomers to Ukraine,” he said. “It was really a moment of pride as a Manitoba man, but also as a Ukrainian-Canadian.”