Tipperary-based Ukrainians thank Ireland on 1,000th day since Russia invaded Ukraine
Ukrainians living in Tipperary thank local communities for their support after 1000 days of war
Ukrainian frontline workers from every county in Ireland gathered today in Dublin to express their thanks to Ireland on the date of 1000 days of war in Ukraine after the Russian invasion of February 2022.
Larysa Gersako, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, attended the day's session to offer her thanks to Ireland and to the community development and integration support workers.
Ambassador Gersako said: “In this difficult time for Ukrainians we want to support our communities all over Ireland. It’s very important to keep connections to our Ukrainian community, while integrating with Irish society. We hope Ukrainians will become an integral part of Irish society and we note how many people are now working here."
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Viktoriia, who has found a job in Tipperary, said: "I am a New Arrivals Support Worker with STDC in Tipperary. Approximately 1,100 Ukrainians have found a new home here, myself included. Tipperary people couldn't be kinder and nicer to us, welcoming us into their homes with open arms and open hearts. Although very different from our homeland, Ireland became a fresh start for a lot of us. We are taking up new jobs, opening businesses, studying English, and trying to pay back at least a little bit towards the kind and generous people who welcomed us in 2022.”
Emma Lane-Spollen who is the National Coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum said: “Today we welcomed 100 people from the frontline working in communities across Ireland supporting the integration of people from Ukraine. Today is a bittersweet day. We acknowledge the compassion and resilience of these marvellous people, living in our communities who help others to integrate, many of whom fled the war themselves. We do so however in the dark shadow of the continuing war, now over 1,000 days long.”
“Being a refugee is incredibly hard, you are relying on the kindness of strangers when the future is so uncertain. When met with empathy and compassion it can ease the pain. For all those who opened their homes, their hearts, their schools, clubs and communities. We thank you. For the Cead mile failte so given by the Irish people, the Ukrainian community in Ireland offer 100,0000 thanks for your support over the last few years”