More than a dozen visas have been issued to Ukrainian refugees to reside in the cities of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, according to new data.
In February, the UK government announced the Ukraine Sponsorship Program, also known as “Houses for Ukraine”, which allows citizens to volunteer housing for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Sponsors agree to provide accommodation for a minimum of six months, and those who receive sponsorship are allowed to live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.
Preliminary figures from the Home Office and the Department of Upgrading, Housing and Communities show that as of Wednesday (April 6), 16 visas have been issued to refugees living in host countries in Arma City, Banbridge and Craigavon..
They were among 12,500 sponsored visas issued at the national level by Thursday (April 7), although only 1,200 refugees - less than 10% - had arrived in the UK under the scheme by April 5, the latest arrival data available.
The Home Office and the DLUHC have warned that a very small number of visas issued across the UK do not have a postcode, while the data likely includes some duplicate entries and therefore may not be an accurate indication of the number of people with visas.
Many others have obtained visas through the Ukraine Family Scheme, which allows Ukrainian citizens to join family members in the UK.
About 28,500 visas were granted under the scheme at the national level, of which 10,800 arrived by 5 April.
Local data on this scheme has not yet been made available.
The UK government has been criticized for not doing enough to help Ukrainian refugees compared to other European countries, and logistical difficulties are delaying visa applications.
As of April 7, the government had received about 80,000 visa applications under both schemes, but had only granted 40,900.
The Home Office acknowledged that some people had been waiting nearly three weeks for their applications to be processed, but said it was working to expedite the process.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called on Home Secretary Priti Patel to resign over refugee visa issues.
“We want to offer Ukrainians a home, but Priti Patel slammed the door in their faces,” Sir Ed tweeted.
The interior minister apologized for delays in issuing visas, but added that the government should ensure they were “protected and protected”.
The Local Government Association, the local government’s affiliate, praised the “extraordinary” generosity of people across the country, but warned councils needed information on the arrivals and those supporting them as quickly as possible.
James Jamison, Chairman of the LGA, added: “Councils are currently being told who arrives in their area under the Homes for Ukraine scheme only after visas have been negotiated and issued, and many are reporting serious problems with that data.”
“Urgent work is needed on how councils can work with government and society, the religious and volunteer sectors, so that those who offer their homes can quickly find a family in need,” he added.