Manitoba to welcome nearly 300 Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion

Nearly 300 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion of their country are expected to touch down in Manitoba as early as next week.

The province says one of the federally arranged chartered flights bringing Ukrainians to Canada is to arrive in Winnipeg.

The exact date isn’t known, the province said in a release, but officials are eyeing the third week in May.

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“Since the beginning of this brutal war of aggression, we have been preparing for the potential arrival of thousands of Ukrainians seeking safety and refuge here in Manitoba,” said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson.

“We will continue to welcome Ukrainians suffering unimaginable loss with open hearts and open arms, and will support them with a full range of provincial support services including housing arrangements, health and mental health care, education, child care, social assistance, language services and labour market assistance.”

The charter is expected to leave from Warsaw with approved applicants under Canada’s emergency travel authorization for Ukrainians.

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The province says once the plane lands, the travellers will be taken to a refugee reception centre for help with resettling, including temporary accommodations, food and health-care services.

The reception centre has so far helped more than 340 people from Ukraine, 20 per cent of whom were children.

“The charter flight being organized will enable up to 300 displaced persons to come to Manitoba, where the Ukrainian community in partnership with governments are providing much-needed supplies and services to help these newcomers settle and adjust,” said Joanne Lewandosky, the president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Manitoba Provincial Council.

“We look forward to their arrival and are prepared to welcome them with all our hearts.”