Town Hall shows its support for Ukraine Independence Day 

August 24 marks the country’s formal Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.  
 
By flying the nation’s flag over the borough’s municipal building, the council is demonstrating its support for Government in Kyiv and the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion of February last year.
 
As well flying the country’s flag, the town hall will tonight (Thursday) be lit up in Ukraine’s national colours of yellow and blue.
 
Wandsworth residents have also shown their support by welcoming more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees into their homes since the conflict began, while the council has taken steps to ensure their welfare, secure school places for their children and provide wide-ranging specialist support. 
 
Wandsworth has a long history of assisting refugees, most recently from Afghanistan and Syria as well as Ukraine. The borough is now working hard to achieve its aim of being awarded full Borough of Sanctuary status.   
 
Cllr Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader said: “It has been heartbreaking to see the impact of this war and its terrible effects. 
 
“I am so proud of the work that continues to be done by the council and also for the generous support, hospitality and humanity that local people have shown in welcoming vulnerable refugees into their homes.
 
“By lighting up our town hall to mark this anniversary, we are signalling our continued support for the people of Ukraine and their fight for freedom.
 
“As a borough we should be proud of the support we have shown refugees from other parts of the world who have been forced to flee their homes because of war, famine and persecution. As a compassionate and inclusive council we are determined to continue to offer a safe haven for all those in desperate need of sanctuary.” 
 
To find out more about the support available to Ukrainian refugees, visit the council’s website, which also has more information about becoming a Borough of Sanctuary