Will you open your door and host Ukrainian refugees- mothers, grand-mothers and their children?

Perfectly put Terribull. I will, of course, contribute appropriately. But no, I cannot offer a spare room. It wouldn't be practical.

I would if we had a house big enough but we dont. I think there will be plenty space in 10 Downing Street.

Wedgwood-Benn died in 2014.
Putin became President in 2000-2004, 2008-12, 2012-18-21-?

He should have been well aware of Putin's ambitions and intentions, and no doubt his opinions are recorded in great detail in his diaries.

Terribull good informative post.
I was trying to explain some recent history to a young anxious DGC in simple terms, but it's not simple. I think we were all agreed that what we all need is another Russian leader like Gorbachev.

Syria, Aghanistan, other conflicts have not gone away although they are not reported widely now.

I wonder why these people are so driven by money and power at all costs. They don`t have a shred of empathy and obviously no belief in an afterlife or karma. Putin is aging and has billions stashed away, why does he continue as he does? Normal people are not like that, we help our fellow man, we care. The ordinary russian is a good person. Putin and his cronies do not represent them.

I was thinking about the Syrian people again yesterday. The Russians support Assad - so much suffering, we are fortunate to live here and need to push our government on visas for Ukrainians

I think the British people have often demonstrated many times over how they are prepared to help any beleaguered nation when either natural events cause displacements or as an act of aggression. Many charitable initiatives have started here. It's wonderful of course if people are able to accommodate fleeing Ukrainians. My own house unfortunately is a hub to our family comings and goings. I regularly host children and grandchildren as and when they descend on us which sometimes feels constant, this weekend for example, I've had son and grandchildren. So we will contribute to a worthwhile fund and do our bit as I imagine most will, it's quite obvious that everyone feels the upmost concern for the Ukrainians and their brave leader, a God imo amongst the pretty much lamentable world leaders we are saddled with right now.

Anyway, lets hope sanctions kick in, even if they are still able to get their Gucci loafers Italy, love you lots but .........really!!! although not sure we can rely on all nations, China as expected lukewarm condemnation because of course they are eyeing up their own potential takeover of Taiwan, but India what's their excuse?? Expanding nation they may be but sometimes we have to stand together globally against these hideous tyrants, if he uses his nuclear deterrent then we're all f***ked, Gucci loafers ain't going to save anyone

Not able to offer accommodation, just trying to work out the best charity to make a donation to

I can't offer accommodation but am trying to find the best way of helping with cash or goods. How on earth can we stop this appalling man, it's hopeless. I fear he may really carry out his threats.

Is this a government thing?
Are we being asked to take in refugees if we can?
I’m just wondering what’s the point of saying you would if you’ll never actually do it?
I mean, are you going to wait at train stations, ports etc with a placard?

Tina49

DaisyAnne

Will you open your door and host Ukrainian refugees- mothers, grand-mothers and their children

You question begs another, why does it matter? It doesn't need everyone to be able to house refugees in order to make it worth giving sanctury. Everyone who wants to and can, will find something they can do to to help.

Hear, hear.
Seems a somewhat challenging OP? Anyone with an ounce of humanity in them will do what they can. If you do not have a spare room (we don’t), then that is not an option. But I have just bought a big bag of toiletries to drop off at a local collection point.

I'm afraid I feel it's badly done. Firstly, this thread is neither politics nor news. It should have been in chat so we know what to expect.

Secondly, it's a closed question. It's not, "Has anyone had any ideas how we can help?" It attempts to limit the conversation to a particular group.

Thirdly, paddyann54's post of Sun 27-Feb-22 21:35:27 was simple fact and then we suddenly have a re-run of a French street as WWII ended, with the "I supported the resistance", "I supported the resistance", "I supported the resistance" going down the road while pointing out the women at the bottom of the road as a collaborator but who so often turned out to be the only one who risked their life for the resistance.

The thread then became twisted and nasty. No one had said "... all the Jews exterminated in the gas chambers count for nowt". Phrase that use the Jews who died as a weapon against someone who didn't mention them are the ones that denigrate those who died, not paddyanne's post.

You could see all this coming from the question. It is so, so sad when the people in Ukraine are being so brave and fighting not only for their democracy but ours too.

Phrase Phrases

I agree with Tina and Daisy
The OP is almost a challenge and meant to guilt trip people into thinking your a bad person if you don’t want to ( for various reasons) or you haven’t got a spare bed.

Just to mention for folks who want to send money but are unsure where to do so that the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday have set up the Mail Ukraine Appeal. Monies will be distributed to charities and aid organisations providing essential services. They are "negotiating with a number of reputable charities and formal announcments are expected in the coming days". They've raised £258,00 on Day One, matched with £500,000 from the newspapers themselves. We've donated. The Red Cross and Unicef also have appeals.

Kandinsky

Is this a government thing?
Are we being asked to take in refugees if we can?
I’m just wondering what’s the point of saying you would if you’ll never actually do it?
I mean, are you going to wait at train stations, ports etc with a placard?

Well, Switzerland's stance on this crisis has been neutrality so far so I don't know if refugees would be allowed into there anyway.

They have not frozen Russian assets held in banks there nor decided upon sanctions as yet although they may.

But it faces growing pressure to side clearly with the West against Moscow and adopt punitive European Union sanctions. The government had so far said only that it will not let Switzerland be used as a platform to circumvent EU sanctions.
Reuters 6 hours ago.

Well the U.K. government are dragging their feet on allowing refugees into the U.K.- one minister suggested they could apply to pick fruit. Today Patel’s refugee bill which would make it illegal to claim asylum is being debated in the HoL. Or will the government follow the EUs example and allow Ukrainians in no strings for at least 3 years.?

I definitely would as have spare rooms. We live in a village with virtually no public transport so that might be a problem but would still try to help.

Callistemon
If the Swiss do decide to take some of these poor souls I hope this practice has ended.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35323315

When we had a bigger house and 2 of out DCs were still in school we hosted a young man from Kosovo for several months so he could study at our local college.Sadly it didn't turn out to be the best experience as he was actually very arrogant and had a very misogynistic attitude towards our DDs generally.A friend of my daughters took in a refugee not so long ago and he sexually assaulted her daughter.I know in both cases were exceptional to most peoples experiences of offering help. I still would seriously consider offering short term accommodation to a refugee from the terrible situation in the Ukraine if we had a spare room.My heart goes out to anyone having to flee their home in such circumstances. The problem now is we frequently have grandchildren sleeping so our DD can work.We will definitely donate to the Red Cross and find other ways to offer assistance.

karmalady

The refugees from ukraine will want to remain as close as possible to their homeland and would therefore prefer to be in countries like poland, hungary, romania etc but there are many charities to help look after them and they will need to be funded

I have sent a donation to the ukraine armed forces

bank.gov.ua/en/news/all/natsionalniy-bank-vidkriv-spetsrahunok-dlya-zboru-koshtiv-na-potrebi-armiyi?fbclid=IwAR0n1R9PjTYLxWS-Lb4NwXyzK6r78iPK4JUNeLE5AyIBN9HvF1IbNuifPG8

The people coming to the uk as refugees will likely be coming to a relative already here

Thank you for the link. Hope the money gets to those who need it.

Our nearby Polish community are collecting specific items which will then be transported by local volunteers to Poland for the incoming Ukrainian refugees. I have sent nappies, baby milk, warm clothing, medicines, bandages, sleeping bags and blankets. Id rather do this than donate to charities where a big percentage is siphoned off for admin. As has been said, most Ukrainians admitted to the UK in the first instance will go to relatives already resident here.

there are quite a few donation points in my local area, some asking for items for babies, others for children, toiletries, medical etc. a couple have boxes and jars already stuffed with money notes. I did a sweep through my house, unearthed anything I could find that was unopened, some luxury shower products but I figured they might give a lift to some of the refugees. I found soaps, shampoos, moisturising body cream etc. I did gather a large amount and was very happy to donate. I also went to the shop with a red cross box inside and donated cash. If you are unsure where to go, look at your local facebook page. There are lists of what is needed

In answer to the question - no, I won't.
Having a big house doesnt make a person more charitable, it just means they have a bigger house.

Callistemon21

Kandinsky

Is this a government thing?
Are we being asked to take in refugees if we can?
I’m just wondering what’s the point of saying you would if you’ll never actually do it?
I mean, are you going to wait at train stations, ports etc with a placard?

Well, Switzerland's stance on this crisis has been neutrality so far so I don't know if refugees would be allowed into there anyway.

They have not frozen Russian assets held in banks there nor decided upon sanctions as yet although they may.

But it faces growing pressure to side clearly with the West against Moscow and adopt punitive European Union sanctions. The government had so far said only that it will not let Switzerland be used as a platform to circumvent EU sanctions.
Reuters 6 hours ago.

How wrong cn you be

Switzerland backs full EU sanctions against Russia

it has dropped visa requirements and has made all train travel to and through Switzerland free for all Ukrainians fleeing.

And yes, people are driving to the border, in Poland, Rumania, etc, and picking up strangers- women and children grand-mothers. Others are offering to host strangers on Facebook sites, and other media, all over Europe, and beyond. Offering to pay for flights even. It is heart warming, and has restored a little bit of faith in humanity.

Others are collecting clothing, sanitary products and bedding, food, babystuff and food for pets, and more. Wonderful.

People are doing that everyday, without any comment.
Putting extra bits and bobs into the food bank collection points, passing on things that will help those worse off.