Scotland to use second cruise ship to house Ukrainian refugees

Glasgow Live writes about it.

The publication reports that the MS Ambition will provide accommodation for up to 1,750 people seeking asylum from Ukraine. It is expected to be fully operational by September and will offer the same level of facilities as the first vessel, which is docked in Leith, Edinburgh.

The Scottish Government has said that 10,556 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in Scotland through a sponsorship scheme since the start of the Russian invasion. The program was suspended in July as the Scottish government struggled to find suitable homes for all the Ukrainians who needed them.

"We are getting close to capacity for the temporary accommodation currently available, particularly across the central belt. While areas like Glasgow and Edinburgh are more familiar to Ukrainians, we are encouraging everyone arriving here to consider other areas across Scotland , especially as we see more visas being issued," - Minister of Special Responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray.

The total number of Ukrainians offered a place in Scotland through the scheme and the UK Government's Homes for Ukraine programme is more than 13,000.