Manitoba families prepare to host Ukrainian refugees, but say governments need to speed up process

Daria and Demyan Hyworon walk through one of their empty, two-bedroom rental apartments in Winnipeg, hoping that in just weeks it will become a new home for a Ukrainian refugee family.

Daria points out that one room will easily fit bunk beds — perfect for multiple children. 

The couple, who are Ukrainian themselves and speak the language, have put their names forward to house up to four refugee families in their vacant rental units in Winnipeg for free.

"There was no thinking. It was automatic ... You step up when you need to step up."

If there's a need, the family is ready to host more people in their family home.

"They'll be like an extension of our family," Daria said.

The refugee crisis hits hard for Hyworons. Demyan's mother Zorianna is a refugee herself. She fled to Canada from Ukraine in 1949 and says what is happening now feels all too familiar.

"This is a lot of déjà vu-vu," Zorianna said.

"I know first hand what the trauma is of families trying to rebuild their lives. Some families managed to get on their feet, and some are traumatized and never recover."

While the refugees will likely first stop in larger centres like Toronto, Ukrainians on the Prairies hope some will make their way west.

The Manitoba chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress says they've heard from more than 170 displaced Ukrainian families who are interested in coming to Manitoba.

The group also put out a request last week asking for anyone who might be interested in putting up a family. In just three days, more than 700 Manitobans signed up.

"I'm so moved by this that I cannot even express how I feel because it's just beyond any expectation," said Dmytro Malyk, who is helping head up the efforts to house Ukrainian refugees in Manitoba.

The outpouring of support was so massive, the group had to temporarily suspend applications so that they could figure out how to make it happen.