A QUARTER of a million pounds has been made available by Somerset County Council to welcome refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and provide them with support. 

Nearly three million people have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its military invasion on February 24, according to the United Nations. 

Poland has taken in over 1.8 million people, while hundreds of thousands have fled to Romania, Moldova, Hungary, and Slovakia. 

The UK launched a new visa scheme this week to allow Ukrainian refugees to stay in the country "for at least three years" with access to the NHS, schools, and other public services. 

Somerset County Council leader David Fothergill outlined the measures the local  authority is taking in response to the crisis at a Cabinet meeting today. 

Councillor Fothergill announced that £200,000 will be made available to ensure refugees in Somerset receive the help they need.

The money will help refugees access education and health support, public services, and housing, travel, food, and interpretation services.

Sponsoring households that host Ukrainian refugees in the county may financial receive support.

An extra £50,000 was pledged to a new Somerset Ukrainian support fund, which is expected to be established in the next few days.

Somerset County Gazette: The funding allocations were made at a council Cabinet meeting today.The funding allocations were made at a council Cabinet meeting today.

Cllr Fothergill said: “We are all deeply concerned by events happening in Ukraine and it is clear we need to play our part and make sure we’re ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees to Somerset.

“People in Somerset always step up.

“We know they will want to help and we’re working with our partners, our district councils and the health and voluntary sector to co-ordinate local efforts.

“A huge thank you to everyone helping with this and for all the many offers of support which are already flooding in.”

The county council has worked with partners, charities, and the community to help more than 160 people safely resettle in Somerset since 2016.

The UK Government has also launched an initiative that will allow people to host refugees fleeing the conflict. 

Over 100,000 people signed up in the first day of applications going live on the Homes for Ukraine website on Monday. 

Household that host a refugee will be offered a tax-free payment of £350 a month. 

You can register your interest in hosting a family on the Government's Homes for Ukraine website.

People who cannot host refugees can learn about donating to support them on the Government's website.

Local charities working to support refugees include Refugee Aid from Taunton, Taunton Welcomes Refugees, and Charis Refugees.

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Read more: 122,000 offer homes for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine