A host of a Ukrainian family in London has written to his local food bank asking for help because rising energy costs mean it can no longer afford to feed its new guests.
The Ukrainian family, which now visits a food bank in Euston, north London, every week, is among a growing number of newly arrived refugees from the war-torn country, relying on alms to survive, according to charities.
Helena Aksentievich, manager of the Euston food bank, said she had received the letter from the Ukrainian family. This was from the host and he said that they are struggling to cover the additional costs of feeding two women and two children, as well as additional energy costs.
Aksentievich said the system was a “mess” and that the number of Ukrainian refugees coming to the food bank, which has had a 300% increase in visitors since the start of the pandemic, is growing rapidly.
Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, refugees are entitled to an interim payment of £ 200 for maintenance provided by their local council and can apply for benefits, including universal credit, pension credit, invalidity benefits, care allowances and child allowances. However, some say their access to benefits is delayed because they have not yet received biometric residence permits. The government denies this.
Sponsors can ask the government for £ 350 a month. They do not have to feed refugees, but many do.
Most of the Ukrainians who come to the food banks are women with children, but Aksentievich said they were also visited by a teenager. “I can only see that we are getting more and more people from this community,” she said.
The Independent Food Aid Network (Ifan) and the Trussell Trust, which represent hundreds of food banks, say newly arrived Ukrainians are seeking help to feed their families.
Ifan said she has created Ukrainian versions of her recommendation brochures in the Highlands and Carlisle.
A family fleeing their home in the area arrives at Luton Airport to meet with their host. Many housewives are experiencing increased financial pressure. Photo: Martin Godwin / Guardian
Sabin Goodwin, Ifan’s coordinator, said: “A social security system that is appropriate for this purpose could support Ukrainian refugees struggling to afford food.
Meanwhile, amid the escalating cost of living crisis, food banks are already struggling to meet the needs of people in the UK. A survey of the food network found earlier this month that 93% of its members reported an increase in the need for services since the beginning of the year, while more than 80% reported problems with food supply.
Goodwin said new measures for the cost of living crisis announced last week by Chancellor Rishi Sunak were welcome, but added that “there is a long way to go before people in the UK can count on affordable help during the crisis “.
A refugee living alone in an emergency accommodation in Exeter said she visited a food bank after losing her sponsor from Homes to Ukraine. She said she was “very well received” and helped with food choices.
Sutton4Ukrainians, a support group, said one in three refugees they encounter go to food banks, long because they are waiting to gain access to aid or because the money they have is not far enough.
A spokesman said the temporary payment of £ 200 to the board was not enough. “It’s not a big amount – public transport is expensive,” they said, adding that refugees often want to be independent.
The Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society in north London has worked with several Ukrainian refugees who have visited his outdoor food cart. One family said they were sponsored but did not have access to food. Lifeafterhummus also provided refugees with cooking equipment.
Fara Reinfly, the group’s operational manager, said the problem of Ukrainian refugees was at the height of the current cost of living crisis. “I have families who come to me in tears and say, ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do.’
A government spokesman said: “We do not recognize these reports – Ukrainians can access benefits immediately without a biometric test and will receive an additional payment of £ 200 while they are processed.
“Translation services are available to help with telephone applications for benefits, welcome points have been set up to help arrivals and we are in constant contact with the councils, which provide additional support to the small number of Ukrainians who can they need more help. “
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