Ukrainian refugees in Britain can become homeless and be exploited: Red Cross
According to the British Red Cross, thousands of people are at risk, so protection and resettlement schemes need to be improved.
Ukrainian refugees in the UK face the risk of homelessness and exploitation, according to a report by the British Red Cross.
The humanitarian organization’s report said that UK government programs generally provided vital support to families seeking asylum. However, some Ukrainians encountered problems in the protection procedures and insufficient training and constant support from the host parties, write The Guardian.
Since the launch of the Houses for Ukraine program in 2022, more than 9,000 of the approximately 200,000 families housed in Great Britain have been at risk of homelessness. This often happens due to the breakdown of relations with host families and difficulties in accessing the private housing market. It was established that Ukrainians face the problem of homelessness four times more often than the general population.
Sal Copley, executive director of communications and external relations of the British Red Cross, commented on the situation.
“More than two years ago, people’s lives in Ukraine changed dramatically. They needed our support and compassion, and the UK became a safe place for many thousands of people. However, this safety did not always provide the stability needed to rebuild their lives. Too many families had to sleeping on the streets or living in places where they felt unsafe. This has a negative impact on mental health and well-being.”, – he noted.
