According to Ukrainians in Ireland, they “want to work and do something good” while visiting a refugee job fair in Dublin, reports RTE.
On the second day of the conflict in February 2022, Oksana Starzhynska fled her home in Kyiv.
Ms. Starzhynska remarked, “It makes me very sad to think about the anniversary of the invasion. I recall phoning my pals and informing them that it was war when I heard the blasts that morning. I can’t believe that occurred; it feels like a dream. We were under a lot of stress, had to flee Ukraine, and were without food,” reports RTE.
Since the start of the conflict, Ireland has taken in one of the biggest populations of Ukrainian refugees in Europe per capita.
Ms. Starzhynska currently advises Ukrainians in Ireland as a member of the Irish Refugee Council, reports RTE.
Speaking at a UN Refugee Agency and Indeed-hosted refugee employment expo at Croke Park, Ms. Starzhynska said she also assists refugees in navigating the hiring process.
She also oversees the Irish Refugee Council’s Ukrainian hotline, reports RTE.
In its initial year of operation, it received 7,500 phone calls from people seeking general information on Ireland.
However, she said: “In the last year, the calls are more about job opportunities and studying, this makes me very proud. The people want to just stay here, they want to work and do something good. They want to give back and do something good for Ireland. There are not a lot of people planning to go back. For many, their houses are destroyed back in Ukraine and they are looking for opportunities to stay here,” reports RTE.
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