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Ukrainian women and children fleeing the war are set to begin arriving in Australia as soon as this weekend. More than 1,000 people have been issued Australian visas since the war began, according to the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, and many have fled to Poland and Romania. Federation co-chair Stefan Romaniw said he expects women and children to begin arriving within days. "Australia is 20,000 km away, they've come from a war zone... those children obviously have seen things. We have to deal with trauma, with families being disconnected," he told AAP. The federation has been preparing support for people when they arrive, including medical checks and accommodation, and links to welfare organisations. "We've got our finger on the pulse, we're co-ordinated and we know what we're doing... As soon as they land, we will meet them at the airport and work out what are the next steps," he said. It's expected most people will land in Sydney and Melbourne, along with Adelaide and Brisbane. He praised the efforts of the Ukrainian community in Australia so far. "It has been exceptional - Putin is a tyrant and he needs to be stopped." While the Australian government has been "very efficient" at issuing visas, the vast majority issued so far are tourist class, so people will not be able to access support such as medicare, according to Mr Romaniw. But he said he had spoken to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Friday and asked him to look at reclassifying some visas when people arrive. The department of home affairs has been contacted for comment. Australian Associated Press
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Ukrainian women and children fleeing the war are set to begin arriving in Australia as soon as this weekend.
More than 1,000 people have been issued Australian visas since the war began, according to the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, and many have fled to Poland and Romania.
Federation co-chair Stefan Romaniw said he expects women and children to begin arriving within days.
"Australia is 20,000 km away, they've come from a war zone... those children obviously have seen things. We have to deal with trauma, with families being disconnected," he told AAP.
The federation has been preparing support for people when they arrive, including medical checks and accommodation, and links to welfare organisations.
"We've got our finger on the pulse, we're co-ordinated and we know what we're doing... As soon as they land, we will meet them at the airport and work out what are the next steps," he said.
It's expected most people will land in Sydney and Melbourne, along with Adelaide and Brisbane.
He praised the efforts of the Ukrainian community in Australia so far.
"It has been exceptional - Putin is a tyrant and he needs to be stopped."
While the Australian government has been "very efficient" at issuing visas, the vast majority issued so far are tourist class, so people will not be able to access support such as medicare, according to Mr Romaniw.
But he said he had spoken to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke on Friday and asked him to look at reclassifying some visas when people arrive.
The department of home affairs has been contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
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