Written question asked by Earl of Sandwich (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 29 March 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 April 2022. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 April 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Ukraine: Refugees

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what specialised (1) care, and (2) advice, they are providing to Ukrainian refugees who are currently in Poland; what work they are doing with (a) UN agencies, and (b) NGOs, in reception centres in that country; and what particular support they are providing to (i) women, and (ii) children, who may be vulnerable to abuse or trafficking.

Answer: The UK has deployed a field team of humanitarian experts to Poland to provide logistics advice and analyse the evolving refugee situation ensuring support provided to refugees, including women and girls, is tailored to the local context, including the threats they face. Our humanitarian support will be implemented by trusted humanitarian partners with expertise in protection and safeguarding. FCDO staff are reiterating the importance of protection and safeguarding considerations in this response, including the risk of human trafficking, when liaising with HQ and regional staff of multilateral and NGO agencies. More broadly we will continue to coordinate law enforcement efforts by working closely with EU partners to target trafficking routes across Europe, provide protection to the most vulnerable and take tough action against those who seek to exploit people for financial gain.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL7460
Session: 2021-22
Subjects: Human trafficking Humanitarian aid Poland Refugees Ukraine Non-governmental organisations UN agencies
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk