Ukrainian Forced Migrants in Edinburgh: How the Homes for Ukraine Scheme Worked
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2306-3971-2024-01-33-33Keywords:
Russian-Ukrainian war, forced migrants, temporary protection, accommodation, employability, precarious positionAbstract
The article presents the in-deep analysis of the implementation the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (HFUS) in Scotland for Ukrainian forced migrants fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022. The HFUS does not provide for official refugee[1] status in the UK but allows Ukrainians to seek asylum. The HFUS is unique, as it involves, in particular, the settlement of Ukrainian refugees in the same housing with their sponsors, which should contribute to the adaptation and assimilation of new residents in Scotland. Our interviews with Ukrainians and sponsors who hosted Ukrainians aimed to analyse the challenges faced by both groups involved in HFUS. The study aimed to explore the challenges faced by Ukrainians adapting to new conditions in Scotland, their self-identification in a new environment, and their future plans. The primary difficulties identified for Ukrainians in Scotland included limited English language proficiency, challenges in securing employment in their field, navigating unfamiliar systems, and instability hindering long-term planning. Conversely, Scots highlighted challenges related to the lack of clarity in the HFUS, in communication with local councils, and in understanding the consequences of using the scheme. Based on analysis of interviews and other open sources, the authors identified certain aspects that they believe should be considered in Scotland's migrant integration policy, in particular, the effectiveness of the HFUS and the work of state and volunteer organisations that assist Ukrainians and other forced migrants. Additionally, the authors suggest that the gathered data could inform policies for repatriating Ukrainian citizens once the conflict concludes.
[1] More about status of refugees: UNHCR (2010).
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