Rachel Woods MLA has called for the UK Government to step up its humanitarian response in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Green Party NI MLA for North Down said: “The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is a vile act of aggression, an appalling and abhorrent breach of international law that has brought death, destruction, displacement human rights abuses to innocent civilians.

“The Home Office must look at the example being set by other countries and provide safe and secure routes for refugees, and that includes providing safe and secure routes for people to come here to Northern Ireland.

“The situation faced by the hundreds of thousands of innocent Ukrainians forced to flee their homes requires a far more urgent and compassionate response from those in Westminster.”