A humanitarian flight with 230 Ukrainian citizens is now scheduled to land in Regina at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The Legislative Secretary for Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations, Terry Dennis, along with Regina’s Mayor Sandra Masters and Elena Krueger, President of Ukrainian Canadian Congress Saskatchewan will meet them at the airport. An email from the province says the nine hour flight will arrive directly from Warsaw, Poland.
It’s expected the flight will be carrying mostly women, children and the elderly. The president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, Randy Goulden, said last Tuesday that SUMA is encouraging Municipalities and individuals to ensure their local organizations, such as food banks, housing authorities, and settlement agencies, have the resources needed to help refugees integrate into the province.
Goulden says SUMA isn’t sure how many Ukrainian refugees will be relocated to communities like Saskatoon, Regina, or Yorkton. People looking to help can also register with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan, which has launched a registration process for individuals, businesses and organizations. SUMA says an additional 800 Ukrainians have already arrived in Saskatchewan through domestic travel
The government says passengers will receive temporary accommodations in Regina to provide them with access to supports and information related to living in the province. A settlement reception centre, with translators available, has been set up and will provide on-site personnel who will be able to issue Saskatchewan health cards, assist with setting up bank accounts, provide information about housing, employment, education, income assistance, community supports and more.
A toll-free number, 1-833-613-0485, is also available to help displaced Ukrainians access information when they arrive in Saskatchewan. Inquiries can also be sent to ukrainesupport@gov.sk.ca. The donated flight was coordinated by Open Arms and Solidaire, humanitarian organizations working to support Ukrainian people.
The return flight will not be empty; Saskatchewan is sending non-perishable food items, sleeping bags, medical supplies and other in-demand cargo items to be distributed to Ukrainian people.
