A Derry Sinn Fein councillor has revealed that he will welcome a Ukrainian family into his home in the coming days.
John McGowan announced at a full meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Thursday that a mother and daughter will arrive on Monday, April 4, as some of the first refugees in the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The family come from the north-eastern city of Kharkiv which has been decimated by Russian shelling. The daughter will have a job with a local architect when she arrives in the city.
The Sinn Fein councillor said: “This Monday coming I’m collecting two Ukrainians at the airport. There are already some arriving, they are staying with me.
“I’m getting my inspection on Friday. These two ladies that are coming on Monday, I think are the first two as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and I have painters and decorators here at the moment.
“I believe that we should be a sanctuary city. Many other families throughout Derry I believe have expressed an interest.”
He told the meeting Extern, which helped with the Syrian resettlement scheme, has been appointed at a local level and will carry out home surveys.
Many more refugees will be arriving, Mr McGowan said, and he has spoken with the Polish Abroad community group about meeting the needs of Ukrainian families when they arrive.
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