by Miceál O’Hurley
DUBLIN — In a departure from my journalistic duties I feel compelled to respond to the many, many requests for assistance I have received from members of the Ukrainian community in Ireland.
As you are all more than aware, Russian invaded the Ukrainian interior 18-hours ago. Casualties are mounting and the number of displaced persons is growing exponentially. Many Irish-Ukrainians and Ukrainian expatriates in Ireland have contacted Diplomacy in Ireland – European Diplomat in the hopes of gaining our assistance in locating family members who have had to flee from Russian shelling, tanks or troops, or are missing. We have received numerous requests for us to canvass our media contacts in Ukraine for assistance given the Russian attacks upon critical infrastructure like communications. Moreover, we have received numerous requests for us to use our contacts here in Ireland to begin to source emergency accommodations should family members be able to obtain a VISA waiver and travel to Ireland to be reunited with their loved ones here in Ireland.
As a stop-gap measure, we will be glad to receive information on emergency housing options from Irish families who may be in a position to help on a short-term basis should the need arise. Other resources needed will be therapists, counsellors, solicitors and social workers who might be able to volunteer their services during this crisis until formal structures and systems are put in place and further identified.
We will liaison with the Embassy, NGOs, Agencies and others to do our best to assist, limited though we are at this time. When we have assembled a list of resources we will post them at: https://diplomacyireland.eu
If you believe you can be of assistance, kindly email us at: editor@diplomacyireland.eu with the resources you think you can help provide. Please write RESOURCES in the Subject column to help us better sort incoming information.
Go raibh mile maith agat,
Story Photo: Woman rescued after Russian missiles destroyed her apartment building in Kharkiv, killing children and wounding others civilians, 24 February 2022 (Credit: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
