7. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:14 pm on 17 May 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:14, 17 May 2022

Thank you very much, Jack Sargeant. As I have said, this is very much a cross-Government response. Co-ordination is particularly important, not just in terms of cross-Government and all of our responsibilities, but inter-Government with the UK Government and the Scottish Government, and also with local government as well. But the third sector is already playing a huge role and a huge part.

I brought together a group of voluntary third sector organisations. We met on Thursday. There are about 25 organisations now, which include the Red Cross. For example, on Thursday, we had a presentation from Community Foundation Wales—Richard Williams—about the new Croeso fund, which we've developed. Jonathan Cox from Citizens UK Cymru talked about the work that they've done, working with a non-governmental organisation in Poland and how they brought refugees on the weekend. And then in north Wales, there's Tim Hall from Link International. They are working very closely with us as they've got huge experience in terms of issues around trafficking and sexual exploitation. They're looking at and feeding back issues about host and guest issues—there are some breakdowns there—and the need for secondary placements. So, that's the sort of feedback that we were discussing on Thursday. But also, we're looking at, with those organisations, what role can they play. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the children's commissioner, Barnardo's and the Welsh Refugee Council are all there.

But I would just say—and it picks up something that Sioned raised earlier on—that I also invited BAWSO and Welsh Women's Aid to that meeting, because of the concerns that had been raised in my last statement about the trauma that so many women have come from. But also, there has been exploitation, particularly on borders, with people waiting to come here, and, sadly, some incidents here on arriving. They gave a very full presentation on Thursday at the meeting.

It's vital that volunteers who are coming forward look to the Volunteering Wales website. Please look under 'Ukraine'; there's a whole category to help volunteers discover their roles. I had a drop-in event on Saturday in my constituency, and volunteers came, as well as councillors and sponsor families and refugees, and there were volunteers coming who want to offer English language classes, who want to engage and support families. So, let's also put that message out today. I'm having this as the first item on the agenda at the third sector partnership council this week.