{"id":26533,"date":"2022-06-14T13:16:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T17:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26533"},"modified":"2022-06-15T10:19:27","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T14:19:27","slug":"ukrainian-mp-praises-irish-support-for-refugees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26533","title":{"rendered":"Ukrainian MP Praises Irish Support For Refugees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ukrainian MP’s Dmytro Natalukha, Senator Garrett Ahern, Lesia Vasylenko and Alona Shkrum arrive at Leinster House to address the Seanad (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Ukrainian MP has said that refugees in Ireland are \u201coverwhelmed\u201d by the support of Irish people since the outbreak of the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alona Shkrum, who is among a cross-party group of Ukrainian MPs who addressed the Seanad on Tuesday, said they are grateful for the support from the Irish public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group also called on Irish politicians to support their efforts to join the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn these times friendship is super-important and we know that the support you have given to us and 35,000 refugees is unprecedented and will be never be forgotten,\u201d Ms Shkrum said outside the gates of Leinster House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe spoke to Ukrainians here to find out how the process is working and how they apply for housing. They are overwhelmed what the Irish are doing for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUnfortunately, the war is going to another stage right now. I am afraid Putin is ready to starve a couple of continents just to re-establish his so-called Russian empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe is blocking the ports of the Black Sea for Ukraine to export food to Europe, Middle East countries, to African countries and it could affect more than one billion people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Irish know too well what it is to be in hunger and when hunger is used as a weapon. We know too well as Ukrainians what it is to have man-made hunger which we had 90 years ago created by the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe should make sure together that this is absolutely the last time any dictator in the world is using food as a weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She called for more funding to help with the war against Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Mark Daly said the delegation is visiting Ireland to ask for support from politicians and the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey are asking Ireland to be a supporter of Ukraine\u2019s membership of the European Union and be advocates for their membership, which we are,\u201d Mr Daly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will talk to our colleagues across Europe to support that application and support refugees and the non-military aid, which we will continue to give to Ukraine and their people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have spoken to members of Congress and other parliamentarians across the world to ensure the fight that is going on in Ukraine, is not just a fight for the people of Ukraine but a fight for all of Europe and its values.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Daly, who visited Ukraine in May where he met the country\u2019s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the Ukrainians are \u201cputting up a fight\u201d against the Russians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey cannot do this on their own. They need the support of Europe and the world,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

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