The unfolding humanitarian disaster in Ukraine is terrifying and our hearts go out to the innocent people trapped in this dreadful war zone following the unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country.
Here in North Lanarkshire, we have a proud and compassionate record of ensuring that people escaping terror are made to made to feel welcome as we have done with people fleeing from Afghanistan and Syria during previous conflicts.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine and, working with our colleagues in COSLA, we stand ready at a local level to offer all the support we can to those who need it most.
To donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian appeal visit: https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Provost of North Lanarkshire, Jean Jones