War in Ukraine | BASW reflects on past year

As we mark 12 months of war in Ukraine, we also remember people suffering conflicts around the world.

Friday 24 February marks the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine. BASW UK Chief Executive, Dr Ruth Allen reflects on the devastation caused by the war and considers the UK's approach to responding to this crisis and other humanitarian challenges across the world.

The one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February is important and deeply saddening to mark. This brutal war continues and there is no sign of it ending soon. During this week, we are thinking of the millions of displaced Ukrainians across Europe, of those who have come to the UK on special visa schemes, and of course those still in the country and facing the risk of further offensives.

The Ukraine war is on our geopolitical doorstep and it affects us all – and people across the world - through economic, energy and food supply pressures and the global risks that it has created. It is the first time in a generation that we face an escalating ‘superpower’ conflict.

But of course, it is just one of the many conflict related, migrant and refugee crises happening around the world.

BASW’s overall position on refugee and migrant rights is clear; we believe the UK should abide by its responsibilities under international law and global and European convention rights of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. The UK should have a modern and agile approach to responding to the many humanitarian and movement of people challenges across the world.

Instead, we have reduced our overseas aid and recent legislation and policy on immigration shows this UK government is prepared to turn its back on internationalist and collaborative responses to migration and human rights. Political focus has become exclusively protecting ‘our borders’, removing routes for most people in need to travel to the UK safely and stoking vilification of migrants rather than recognising the how migration for all reasons has enriched our society and economy.  

For all their faults and undoubted failings - not least growing concerns about the availability of longer-term housing and the ending of hosting arrangements - the Ukraine visa schemes have provided a relatively swift route for over 160,000 Ukrainians to arrive in the UK to date. Our briefing for social workers provides an overview of the schemes, their opportunities and limitations, and notes on social work practice and approaches to supporting people arriving here.  The scheme show what can be done to mobilise  widespread support and generosity for people fleeing danger when the narrative is welcoming and positive.

These schemes have run in parallel with the failure to fulfil commitments towards refugees fleeing conflicts outside Europe, including the failures of the Afghan Resettlement Scheme with adults and children still in entirely unsuitable and temporary accommodation in the UK and many people with strong reasons to come to the UK and be protected still unable to come and settle here.  The UK government persists in its intent to declare many asylum seeking routes ‘illegal’, in contravention of international law and conventions, and to send people to Rwanda on a one way ticket.

As we open our hearts to the suffering of the people of Ukraine, lets also remember and feel the connections with people fleeing persecution, conflict and humanitarian disasters around the world. Where we can, let’s act to raise awareness, resist racism in our immigration system and pursue inclusive social work practice for the benefits of all communities and for a better society.

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BASW recently published a briefing to support, inform and empower social workers across the UK in their ongoing practice and consideration of issues that arise in relation to people arriving and staying under the UK Ukraine visa schemes. View the document here.