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COVENTRY Refugee and Migrant Centre, along with its partners and friends, want to speak to citizens to ask for their warmth and generosity in donating spare accommodation they may have to support Ukrainian refugees.

The plea comes after the past year where the world has witnessed what will considered some of historys worst humanitarian crises, firstly Afghanistan and now Ukraine.

The charity said the situations saw some of the most deplorable, totalitarian regimes and leaders trying to rewrite world history through aggressive military tactics tactics that should be resigned to the past.

It added there was also one of the greatest displays of humanitarian unity the world had seen for a generation.

The worldwide condemnation has been echoed by more than just the worlds leading democracies, it has been shared by businesses, religious leaders, peacemakers, sporting giants and most importantly, compassionate human beings who understood peace, unity, and dialogue were the only ways forward.

Last week, the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, urged the Government on several occasions in the House of Lords to rise to the challenge of the impending refugee crisis.

At the end of the week, speaking from the Cathedral ruins, he said: The Diocese of Coventry knows about the damage, destruction and death that war brings.

Therefore, the thought of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers dying at an early age, civilian populations caught up in the conflict and vast movements of refugees fleeing the violence breaks our hearts.

Let us be resolute in our commitment to a vision of peace and the blessings of reconciliation and let us be ceaseless in prayer.

The warm welcome Coventry and its residents have offered over the last few decades to those seeking sanctuary has earned the city an unrivalled international reputation for being the most generous, compassionate, and welcoming people anywhere in the world.

Coventry and its residents have helped to resettle over 900 people in the city since 2014 alone a testament to the incredible collective spirit that this city has shown since the Second World War.

The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has recently announced the governments support for those being displaced from their homes in Ukraine, with thousands now becoming eligible to start new lives in peace or join their loved ones here in the UK albeit on a temporary basis.

The Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre wants to hear from any Coventry residents who have the ability and capacity to accommodate Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war.

The influx of Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers leaves many now in the arms of peace and safety but without a temporary and secure location to sleep. A situation which can be increasingly perilous for young children and their families.

Toni Soni, Director at CRMC, said: During the Afghanistan crises, we witnessed Coventry residents generously donate clothes, food and money to support people theyd never even met before. These donations helped to save and support the lives of men, women, and children theyll likely never meet.

Now I am asking Coventry residents to meet Ukrainian refugees by opening their homes and temporarily accommodating anyone theyre able to help.

I would urge anyone who is able to do so, anyone who has spare capacity in their house or their flat, to open their homes for at least six-months and support those who are most vulnerable while they find their feet here in Coventry.

I want to reassure those who are considering opening their homes that they will not be left alone to do so. CRMC and partners Coventry City Council will be on hand to provide expert guidance and advice to all those who take in Ukrainian refugees.

The Home Secretary has announced that Ukrainian refugees will be able to work, gain an education and access public funds for the time they are here. Our request for Coventry residents to provide accommodation is to ensure these families have a secure, temporary location where they can begin to process and rebuild their lives.

He thanked people in advance and strongly urged anyone considering supporting the CRMCs appeal to email Caroline Higgins at carolineh@covrefugee.org

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Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre appeals to citizens who have room to provide Ukrainians with a temporary home - Coventry Observer