In Scotland, a cruise ship is hosting Ukrainian refugees near Edinburgh. The Scottish government announced that the first people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine boarded the M/S Victoria on Tuesday. The ship can accommodate between 1600 and 1700 refugees in 739 cabins.
“We don’t want people to stay in makeshift shelters like the ship any longer than is absolutely necessary,” said Scottish Minister Shona Robison. “But we want to make it as comfortable as possible for them during their stay,” she said, adding that the refugees could use various services on board. They would have access to restaurants, shops, playgrounds with toys and books, common rooms and laundry facilities, and the Internet.
However, opposition parties and welfare organizations are skeptical about the accommodation scheme. you voice Concerns about access to schools for the refugee children and young people and the risk of corona outbreaks on board. “People fleeing the war have been promised a safe place to stay in Scotland, but instead they are stuck on a cruise ship,” said Scotland Labor Party’s Sarah Boyack.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Scotland has provided shelter for more than 9,000 refugees. The Edinburgh Government has chartered the cruise ship until January 2023 to house refugees who have come to Scotland through a government programme. After the number of applicants rose sharply, it was suspended on July 11.
