Extra money must be given to local authorities urgently to help Ukrainian refugees resettle in Wales.
Welsh councils are set to receive a share of £5.2 billion as part of the Welsh Government’s 2022-23 Local Government Settlement, but there is no mention of money being allocated to help with refugees fleeing Ukraine.
As Putin’s bloody and barbaric invasion of Ukraine continues, more families are being torn apart and forced to flee their homes for safety.
Wales should be opening its doors and welcoming refugees who are desperately seeking sanctuary from war-torn Ukraine. However, it is vital councils are financially equipped to help refugees and our public services are up to scratch as refugees arrive in Wales.
Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales and Shadow Minister for Local Government called on the Welsh Government to reveal if the humanitarian crisis had been given any consideration in the settlement, and stressed the need for further support to help authorities resettle refugees.
The Welsh Government’s Minister for Finance and Local Government told the Welsh Parliament that Wales is ready to welcome refugees and said talks had been taking place with councils about funding requirements.
Commenting outside the chamber, Mr Rowlands, who is also the MS for North Wales, said:
The scenes unfolding in Ukraine have been utterly horrific and heart-breaking with fathers forced to kiss their wives and children goodbye as they seek safety and the men stay behind to fight.
It is absolutely right that Wales plays its part in helping fleeing families find peace and sanctuary here as they escape war-torn Ukraine.
However, it is vital councils have enough money to support refugees as they are already extremely stretched, and our public services are able to keep up with demand.
It is disappointing that there is no mention of this in the Local Government Settlement and I hope that Welsh ministers do the right thing and announce a package of measures as soon as possible.
Cynghorau angen rhagor o arian i helpu ffoaduriaid o Wcráin ymgartrefu yng Nghymru
Mae’n rhaid rhoi arian ychwanegol i awdurdodau lleol ar unwaith o helpu ffoaduriaid o Wcráin ymgartrefu yng Nghymru.
Mae disgwyl i gynghorau yng Nghymru dderbyn cyfran o £5.2 biliwn fel rhan o Setliad Llywodraeth Leol 2022-23 Llywodraeth Cymru, ond does dim sôn am ddyrannu arian i helpu gyda ffoaduriaid sy’n ffoi o Wcráin.
Wrth i oresgyniad gwaedlyd a barbaraidd Putin barhau yn Wcráin, mae mwy o deuluoedd yn cael eu gwahanu’n greulon a’u gorfodi i ffoi o’u cartrefi er mwyn bod yn ddiogel.
Dylai Cymru fod yn agor ei drysau a chroesawu ffoaduriaid sydd mewn angen dybryd am loches rhag y rhyfel yn Wcráin. Fodd bynnag, mae’n hanfodol bod gan gynghorau’r gallu ariannol i helpu ffoaduriaid a bod ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus cystal ag y gallant fod wrth i ffoaduriaid gyrraedd Cymru.
Galwodd Sam Rowlands, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ogledd Cymru a Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol yr Wrthblaid ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatgelu a yw’r argyfwng dyngarol wedi’i ystyried o gwbl yn y setliad, a phwysleisiodd yr angen am gymorth ychwanegol i helpu awdurdodau i helpu ffoaduriaid i ymgartrefu.
Dywedodd Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol Llywodraeth Cymru wrth y Senedd bod Cymru yn barod i groesawu ffoaduriaid a dywedodd bod trafodaethau eisoes yn cael eu cynnal gyda chynghorau am ofynion cyllid.
Wrth roi sylwadau y tu allan i’r siambr, dywedodd Mr Rowlands, sy’n AS dros y Gogledd hefyd:
Mae’r sefyllfa sy’n datblygu yn Wcráin yn gwbl echrydus a thorcalonnus gyda thadau’n gorfod ffarwelio â’u gwragedd a’u plant wrth iddynt chwilio am ddiogelwch ac wrth i’r dynion aros ar ôl i ymladd.
Heb os mae’n rhaid i Gymru chwarae ei rhan wrth helpu teuluoedd sy’n ffoi i ddod o hyd i loches yma wrth iddynt ddianc o’r ymladd yn Wcráin.
Fodd bynnag, mae’n hanfodol bod gan gynghorau ddigon o arian i gynorthwyo ffoaduriaid gan eu bod eisoes dan bwysau sylweddol, ac mae’n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn gallu dal ati i ymateb i’r galw.
Mae’n siomedig nad oes sôn am hyn yn Setliad Llywodraeth Cymru a gobeithio y bydd Gweinidogion Cymru yn gwneud y peth iawn a chyhoeddi pecyn o fesurau cyn gynted â phosibl.
