A humanitarian flight with 230 Ukrainian refugees, including over 100 children, arrived in Regina on Monday evening around 7:30 p.m..The Boeing 787 flight came directly from Warsaw, Poland, to the Regina International Airport..Terry Dennis, MLA for Canora-Pelly and legislative secretary responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations, said that Saskatchewan officials have coordinated with the Ukraine Embassy to Canada to ensure a smooth transition of the refugees to Canada..“Saskatchewan officials have been working with the Ukraine Embassy to Canada to coordinate assistance and support for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the ongoing war in their home country,” said Dennis..“In true Saskatchewan spirit, a number of community groups, organizations, and individuals have also been spending hours and hours preparing to help these Ukrainian families and individuals settle into life in our province.”.Regina Mayor Sandra Masters talked to the media about how these Ukrainian families were just like us until about four months ago..“For all of us who take our country of peace and freedom for granted. I think this is a stark message because they were loving families [and] they had lives. They sent their kids to school and participated in activities and now they're flown into our country thankfully,” said Masters..“But, I just can’t help but think of the point four months ago, they were living lives just like we were living.”.Open Arms and Solidaire are two humanitarian organizations helping support the Ukrainian refugees and donated the flight..The airplane will return to Warsaw with non-perishable food, sleeping bags, medical supplies, and other in-demand items donated by Saskatchewanians to be distributed to the Ukrainian people..Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their country to friendly neighbouring countries, such as Poland. .With this flight, over 1,000 Ukrainians arrived in Saskatchewan since the war began..The Ukrainians have temporary accommodations in a dormitory at the University of Regina, with access to support and information about living in Saskatchewan..The settlement reception centre is set up to help the refugees with Saskatchewan health cards, set up bank accounts, and provide information about housing, employment, education, income assistance, and community support..NDP Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck welcomed the Ukrainians to Saskatchewan and praised Saskatchewanians for their charitable contributions toward helping Ukraine and the refugees..“Saskatchewan has a long history of neighbours helping neighbours and we stand united in our commitment to welcoming those fleeing conflict in Ukraine,” Beck told the Western Standard. .“It’s heartwarming to see so many families and community organizations come together to assist these Ukrainian newcomers by collecting donations, helping with housing ,and more. Saskatchewan has a proud Ukrainian community and it’s only made stronger by these newest members.”.Information about the available programs and services for Ukrainian refugees is available by emailing ukrainesupport@gov.sk.ca or calling toll-free at 1-833-613-0485.
