REGINA — A Boeing 787 humanitarian flight from Warsaw carrying 230 Ukrainians is set to arrive at Regina airport this evening.
The flight is scheduled to land at 7:30 p.m. The flight was co-ordinated by Open Arms and Solidaire, humanitarian organizations working to support Ukrainian people.
This flight will bring the number of displaced Ukrainians arriving in Saskatchewan to over 1,000 since the invasion by the Russian army of Ukraine began.
The plan is for the passengers to receive temporary accommodations in Regina and have access to key supports and information related to living in Saskatchewan. According to the province, a settlement reception centre, with translators, will be on-site to issue Saskatchewan health cards, help set up bank accounts and provide information about housing, employment, education, income assistance, community supports and so forth.
On the return flight Saskatchewan will send items including non-perishable food, sleeping bags, medical supplies and other in-demand cargo.
"Saskatchewan officials have been working with the Ukraine Embassy to Canada to co-ordinate assistance and support for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the ongoing war in their home country," said Terry Dennis, MLA for Canora-Pelly and Legislative Secretary Responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations, in a statement.
"In true Saskatchewan spirit, a number of community groups, organizations and individuals have also been spending hours and hours preparing to help these Ukrainian families and individuals settle into life in our province."