A chartered flight of Ukrainians fleeing the war at home is set to land at the Halifax Airport Thursday afternoon.
About 300 people will be greeted by the YMCA, Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress when they touch down, with only a shred of their former lives in tow.
“The people who are coming are still hypothetical, in a way, Lyubov Zhyznomirska, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said in an interview. “We don’t know their real needs. We will only know when they arrive.”
But she said the UCC expects they’ll need basic support like clothing, furniture and money for groceries.
There is a group collecting these items, she said, but they’re struggling to find space to store it all. Zhyznomirska notes that the former Sears outlet store on Mumford Road would be an easy, accessible place to store things like this for families to come check out. She’s hoping the local business community will step up to volunteer a space.
Zhyznomirska says it’s likely not all of them will have good English skills. She also anticipates there will be some French speaking Ukrainians on board who may prefer to settle in French communities or with French families.
For those who do have a working English proficiency, Zhyznomirska hopes to see businesses take the step to offer them jobs. She also encourages Nova Scotians who have the space to open their homes as hosts.
“I’d like invite Nova Scotians to consider, if they are willing, to host a Ukrainian family… for a month or so while they get on their feet; I would like to ask businesses to consider hiring Ukrainians if they have basic knowledge of English…; I would like to ask landlords to be flexible when they look at the credit history, for example… [to allow] some flexibility in figuring out their suitability to rent.”
After arrival, the YMCA and ISANS will help get the newcomers proper medical documents, bank accounts, social insurance numbers and drivers licenses. They will be able to use their driver’s licenses for three months upon arrival, but they’ll have to re-test after that.
Anyone who doesn’t have accommodations arranged will be offered a two-week hotel-stay and be aided in the search by ISANS and the YMCA.
“Greet them where they are,” Zhyznomirska said.
