Ukraine crisis: Calls for clarity on refugee matching process

Britons looking to host Ukrainian refugees in their own homes desperately need clarity on how to do so, charities say.

More than 150,000 people have expressed interest in the government’s Homes for Ukraine program, which is due to fully launch on Friday.

However, the visa process cannot start until prospective hosts have the names of specific refugees they wish to help.

Meanwhile, charities say they’ve been “inundated” with calls from people wanting advice on finding a match.

Meanwhile, the government is warning potential hosts not to contact refugees through informal channels such as social media.

“Our advice would be to stick to community groups and councils as they have the expertise,” a member of the government’s Leveling Up department told the BBC.

The department said details of the matching-up process would be released on Friday.

Local councils are expected to rely heavily on support for refugees arriving in the UK and the government is hoping charities, businesses and faith and community groups will help in efforts to bring people together.

Around 70 Ukrainian refugee families have already registered with Robina Qureshi’s refugee reception program “Room for Refugees”, which also helps people fleeing in many other countries.

But she says her charity’s stringent security checks and vetting processes are being slowed by a deluge of calls and emails she’s receiving from members of the public wanting clarification on how to match with a refugee.

“Right now every day is a waste of time and I find that quite annoying,” Ms Qureshi told the BBC.

She said she was concerned by some specific requests to “only accept Ukrainians” and not refugees of other nationalities who are also at risk.

Ms Qureshi said she appreciated the “good faith” of those who expressed interest in Homes for Ukraine, but added, “We don’t have the infrastructure to deal with silly comments and questions.”

Other organizations working with refugees have expressed confusion and reluctance to participate in supporting the government program.

West London Welcome said it is not yet referencing Homes for Ukraine because it is “not confident” in the Government’s review process.

And a spokeswoman for IMIX, working on behalf of Reset UK, said it is “currently unclear how this matching process will work”.

Andy Hewett, head of advocacy at the Refugee Council, said the program could be “too slow and complex” to help the most vulnerable refugees.

He said the government needs to combine “incredibly heartwarming” public generosity with a program “that really works” for people fleeing Ukraine.

“We continue to ask the government to waive all visa requirements for Ukrainians – as our EU neighbors have done – so that anyone wishing to come to the UK can do so quickly,” he added.

Labor welcomed the program but urged the government to be more involved in the matching-up process.

“The biggest obstacles are excessive bureaucracy and the do-it-yourself nature of this program,” said Lisa Nandy, Secretary of Shadow Leveling and Housing.

“The government must cut unnecessary paperwork and play an active role in bringing together sponsors for refugees.”