Almost 200 Ukrainian refugees arrive in Cavan
Almost 200 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine have arrived in Cavan to date, either through the humanitarian efforts of local companies, or with the assistance of friends and families.
The figure is confirmed as the Government prepares to start the process of moving Ukrainian refugees in with Irish families nationally.
Around 20,000 offers of accommodation have been pledged by Irish people, with hundreds of people in Cavan, Monaghan and surrounding counties offering up available space. At the weekend, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said nearly 10,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland, the vast majority of whom are staying in hotels.
So far 4,481 have sought accommodation from State services.
Approximately one-third of the new arrivals are minors under the age of 18 years.
It is likely that more than 1,000 student beds will be made available for Ukrainian refugees when they fall vacant at the end of the term.
Furthermore a new website has been set up to help Irish businesses welcome Ukrainian refugees escaping Russia’s invasion of their home country.
The Tech For Good Dublin community launched Pryvit.ie, a not-for-profit initiative, this week. Pryvit means “hello” in Ukrainian and the aim of the site is to allow people displaced by the ongoing war to access special offers and discounted goods listed by Irish businesses nationwide.
As more refugees arrive on Irish shores, travelling in the opposite direction are several hundreds tonnes of critical humanitarian aid.
Trucks belonging to four local companies operating in the west of the county and neighbouring region set off for the Polish-Ukranian border this week.
McMorrow Haulage from Dowra in Leitrim, Howden Haulage from Templeport, and Campbell Couriers from Aughawillen, Ballinamore, began the near 3,000km journey last Monday, March 21.
They follow the same road travelled as Mechanic Mark Sullivan and refrigeration specialist Sean Monaghan from Mullagh, who left Cavan with a similar cargo on March 15.
They are expected to arrive at the centrally coordinated distribution relief centre in Przemysl tomorrow (Thursday).
Gerry McMorrow of McMorrow Haulage told The Anglo-Celt that the journey will cost around €4,500 per lorry, the bill not including toll costs (+€1,000), which the companies are footing themselves.
Items being dispatched include food items, bottled water, baby food, children’s nappies, sanitary wear and toiletries, as well as heavy blankets, duvets, and sleeping bags.
There is also a drastic need for medical supplies says Mr McMorrow, who is driving under the banner of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).
“With us we have Keith Mullan from Sligo Haulage in Coolooney, and we’re linking up with David McArdle from DG McArdle International and Gerard Hyland from Portlaoise. So those are the six trucks running under the IRHA banner.
“What’s different with us compared to other loads is we’ve done this in conjunction with representatives from the Ukrainian embassy in Ireland, and we’ve filled our trailers with the items that they’ve requested, and what is needed. Foodstuffs is number one, most important, followed by hygiene products, baby foods and medical supplies. Medical supplies is probably back up at number one since the other day.”
Collection event
Following the IRHA convoy in the coming weeks will be a lorryload of aid delivered by Bawnboy-based McGovern Transport.
Joe McGovern tells the Celt that the local haulage company will be hosting a goods collection on Saturday next, March 26, at their depot until 1pm.
He says the lorry should be as full as possible to ensure they can get out as many supplies as they can.
“We started last Saturday and we’ll be doing another now next Saturday. We’ll bring as much as we can. Whatever we collected last Saturday went our on the lorries that went Monday. So we’ll try to do the same again and get on the road as early as next week.”