Hertsmere Borough Council vowed to continue its help to Ukrainian refugees

Hertsmere Borough Council unanimously approved a cross-party motion strongly condemning Vladimir Putin’s “imperialist assault of Ukraine.”

The motion, delivered at a full council meeting on April 27, also resolves to support Ukrainians who have been displaced into the borough’s neighborhoods and expresses “complete solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

Members heard from Ukrainian immigrant Alla Karimova, who is currently housed in a hotel in Borehamwood with other Ukrainian women and children before the motion was heard at the meeting.

She described how she escaped her own country and the help she has gotten since landing in Hertsmere, which is home to approximately 100 Ukrainians. Ms. Karimova’s statements were well received in the council chamber, and she got a standing ovation.

Measures agreed upon include the immediate provision of £50,000 for the council to support Ukrainian migrants directly and in collaboration with Hertfordshire County Council.

Funds from the council’s reserves and contingency budgets were also offered to help speed up suitability checks on offers of accommodation, as well as efforts to actively promote the help that the council and other partners can provide through the council’s communications channels.

“We’ve been absolutely appalled by Putin’s horrific exhibition of aggression and the war crimes being inflicted on men, women, and children by Russian forces,” said Cllr Paul Morris, Conservative councilor for Bushey Heath, who moved the resolution.

“Through this motion, we were able to set out our commitment as a council to how we will offer our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

“Putin may capture Ukrainian land, roads, and bridges but he will never capture the hearts and minds of Ukraine’s people. As Putin resorts to even more desperate and barbaric crimes, we in Hertsmere stand as allies of Ukraine.”

As of April 19, 62 visas had been given in Hertsmere via the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship initiative, according to data supplied by the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up Housing & Communities.

Ukrainian nationals and their family members can enter the UK via the scheme if they have a designated sponsor.

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