The Minister of Immigration says a helpdesk set up by the provincial government for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians seeking safe haven for family in Ukraine has received an overwhelming response.

There are approximately 1,400 people of Ukrainian extraction currently living in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Helpdesk was set up to help those families who want to bring relatives over, but others are offering their help as well.

Gerry Byrne says the Helpdesk has received an overwhelming response from local families willing to take in Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war.

He says the number of people who have reached out to him directly, and through the helpline offering up space in their own homes for families and others has been “overwhelming.”

The contact email for the Helpdesk is ukrainianfamily@gov.nl.ca.