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Guernsey will be progressing with the introduction of a Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme, it has been confirmed.
The island's Committee for Home Affairs and the leading Policy and Resources Committee made the decision following discussion with Alderney, Sark and the island's Lieutenant-Governor.
Both committees concluded that the Bailiwick has both the capacity and available services to accommodate “at least some” Ukrainian refugees through the sponsorship scheme, in addition to those already approved under the existing Family Visa scheme.
Further work to finalise the criteria for being a sponsor and providing accommodation to a Ukrainian refugee are being finalised, with details on how the scheme will operate and how applications can be made to follow next week.
Before then, the committees have said they are not able to comment further.
Pictured: Committee for Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow.
“I want to thank colleagues across all States Committees for their input which has helped us make an informed decision about our ability as a government and as a community, to welcome Ukrainian refugees and provide good standards of support for them within the context of our small Islands and limited resources," Home Affairs President Rob Prow said.
“We are still finalising details but we’re very conscious that those limited resources need to be carefully managed and that some of our own most vulnerable Islanders rely on them, and that is being factored into how the scheme will operate.”
Chief Minister Deputy Peter Ferbrache, who is President of the Policy and Resources Committee, added that he was "very pleased" with the outcome.
“We will work very quickly on finalising the details, conscious that people have waited long enough for clarity on what will happen and when," he said.
Pictured: Guernsey's Chief Minister, Policy and Resources Committee President Deputy Peter Ferbrache.
Deputy Ferbrache continued: "There is of course a need for speed in responding to this ongoing humanitarian crisis, but we need to do so in a way that ensures the scheme itself and our local essential services can still deliver, and don’t fall over.
“Taking this additional time to carry out that assessment and liaise with other States Committees was therefore right, but I fully appreciate the desire to move faster.”
Jersey has no such scheme, although there have been calls to establish one, which the Government said it would consider.
Jersey considers 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme
Could you offer a home to a Ukrainian family?
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