With the number of Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland likely to reach 100,000 in the coming weeks, it can be anticipated that around 4,000 will arrive in Limerick. Officials are working on plans to use army facilities, such as Sarsfield Barracks, as well as hotels to cater for the influx, which is expected to quickly gather pace.
In thanking the Weekly Observer for raising initial awareness of its financial appeal in last week’s publication, the Irish Red Cross said that it has already received around 60 pledges of accommodation from people in Limerick, and in larger and neighbouring Cork this figure is 240.
It is seeking additional offers of accommodation across Co. Limerick.
“Welcoming refugees to Ireland is something the Irish Red Cross has been doing for more than 50 years, including from countries like Vietnam, Hungary, Syria and Afghanistan,” explained Irish Red Cross Secretary General Liam O’Dwyer.
“In 2015, during the height of the Syrian con-flict, the Government agreed to take in 4,000 Syrian refugees and on arrival gave them pro-tection status and we were privileged to lend assis-tance here along with the UNHCR. Part of our brief here was to build a relationship with a specific group of refugees, learning what their needs and plans were, and working to match them with pledged and private rented accommodation throughout Ireland.
“Typically, with this humanitarian work the Irish Red Cross case workers connect refugees with the hosting families and keep in touch to ensure their education or work plans develop properly. At the end of the pledge, the case workers help the refugees access either private rented accommodation or a social house.”
Mr. O’Dwyer added: “Our strong record and experience accommo-dating and supporting the integration of refugees in communities around Ireland, along with the recognition of the Red Cross symbol, really gives them confidence in us.”
If you are in a position to offer support in the form of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, check out the Red Cross register of pledges website – registerofpledges.redcross.ie/.
In an update on its Crisis Appeal, Irish Red Cross has revealed that the Limerick public has donated around €350,000, a third of which was during RTE’s The Late Late Show on Friday last. In all, the Red Cross Appeal is now heading towards €10 million.
Locally, there isn’t a community across Limerick that hasn’t engaged in helping the terrible plight of Ukraine citizens.
Profits from two Cheltenham Preview Nights, Bill Chawke’s Bar in Adare this Thursday (8pm), and Top of the Town, Askeaton on Sunday (7pm), will help secure international aid for Ukraine. See more inside and in ‘sport’.