204 households willing to house Ukrainian refugees

But full details of how the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme could work are still being worked out.

A States spokesman said that 204 households had filled in a form showing their interest in helping.But more cross-committee work is needed.

‘Any refugees arriving in the Bailiwick will potentially need access to specific support delivered across States committees, such as education, health care, immigration and social security,’ he said.

‘The number of expressions of interest further highlights the strength of feeling from the community about the shocking events in Ukraine and islanders’ willingness to help.’

However, not all people who have expressed an interest will necessarily be matched with refugees, if the scheme is adopted.

The spokesman said that the States had also been approached by a range of service providers and third sector organisations to offer wider support.

‘This is very much appreciated and if there are specific areas that either the third sector or the business or wider community can help with in due course, we will liaise with relevant stakeholders at that time,’ he said.

‘The States is working closely with the UK government to understand how “Homes for Ukraine” will operate, in particular in terms of matching refugees with interested households.

‘The UK government launched a website earlier this week seeking expressions of interest and the States is now seeking the same information from Guernsey, Alderney and Sark residents.’

The concept has caused some controversy among the Guernsey public, with some islanders raising concerns about how refugees would be vetted, as well as the general shortage of housing in island.

But others compared taking in refugees to when islanders were helped in the UK when many decided to flee the island before the impending Nazi Occupation in June 1940.