Why Ukrainians treated differently from other refugees?

[Babymamamama]

Disclaimer I’m not a current affairs specialist and not trying to start a bun fight this is a genuine question.
Aibu to ask why it is Ukranian refugees have on appearance been treated so differently from other groups fleeing dreadful conflicts in their home country. I’m specifically thinking of Afghan and Syrian nationals as they are the two groups I’m most aware of.

Round my way people have been hosting Ukrainians, clubbing together as whole streets to contribute to flat deposits, gathering up household items to set up Ukrainians in their temporary homes, holding fundraising concerts. It’s all all admirable and I myself have also contributed where I could. But a lingering question remains -why for this group and not the others? Is this unconscious bias? Why the difference in approach and treatment? Not wanting to offend but something about this doesn’t sit well with me. Can anyone with more knowledge of world affairs enlighten me please?

Because they are mostly women and children fleeing a sudden and widespread war.

Because they look like us and are culturally more similar .
People like familiarity.

Most people in this country are still a bit racist, even if they don't realise it. Simples.

I absolutely think race is a factor but I agree that this is probably the biggest one. People expect the vulnerable to be women and children and are almost angry when they're not - you saw this with the Calais camps where charities kept saying to stop sending baby clothes to a place that was mostly young men. Looking after the women and children while the men fight is a narrative that most people feel comfortable with. There wouldn't have been the same reaction, at all, if the Ukrainians arriving were mostly unaccompanied men as for many refugee groups.

Nail
On
The
Head
🙏

Actually curious how they're more similar? Not all speak English/as a first language, like Middle Eastern refugees. They're religious, like Middle Eastern refugees. They don't eat the same food.

They're white and European but I don't understand how they're any more relatable besides outward appearance.

Because its the women and children who are seeking refuge and the men are staying to fight for their country

I worked in a area that was flooded with women and children from Afghanistan so I'm not sure where people are getting their facts from.

If anyone works in Central London they must remember the refugees last year in the parks and hotels

I worked for a children's charity and we were trying to find activities for the Afghan children to do before they were moved on as their parents would just take them to the park everyday during all hours.

There was nothing in the media about hosting an Afghan family or even just women and children.

This. Ukrainian refugees will go home to their husbands/families as soon as the war is over. The need for housing is temporary - and even some of that is already breaking down.
Not generally true of Afghans or Syrians

Well goodness me it didn’t take long for people to wheel out the old “all English people are racist” BS…

Because the racist, Islamophobic media and the government have duped us into thinking that only white europeans are “valid” refugees and others are not, are out to exploit us and take over our country and should not be welcomed. See previous judgemental comments on this thread about Afghans and Syrians for examples.

Utter crap!

People will often disagree with money arguments and claim that it’s because they are culturally similar (but fail to explain why) or that it’s the same continent (but as is parts of Turkey…), but the reality is two fold. Firstly, they are white and people care less about the brown people. Second, because they’re white, the media pulled at people’s heartstrings and massively overplayed to people’s sense of charity.

As a single mum of a 13yo, an atheist and a carnivore who eats a lot of pork, how could I take in a lone male Muslim? Can't see that working.

But I can take in a Christian Mum and child temporarily.

Practicalities !

And how on earth do you come to that conclusion?

Do you think they want to leave though? Or are forced to because of war? Syrians especially. The quality of life for many Syrians before the war was decent - why would they want to leave that unless they were fleeing for their lives.

And in relation to Afghanistan, Britain has had a very direct role on why it’s so unstable today. We surely have a greater duty to Afghanistan rather than Ukraine.

Why not a lone Afghan child?

Also with women and children:
The boats on Calais have a mix of people. Some of those men seen are indeed economic migrants who paid to be on there. So that explains that.

There are also families on the boats. The last few times we've heard about pregnant women and children drowning. Some people still have little sympathy

contrary to popular belief there’s a fair percentage of men come too. It is because they are white and Christian - whether people want to believe it or not. That’s the main reason

Exactly. People like to make themselves feel better by claiming it’s all male economic migrants, but there are many many women and children from Syria and Afghanistan too, who haven’t been put up by hosts.

@hattie43 Kindly explain how they are culturally similar.

Why are people talking about coming on boats?

Don't you remember the news reports of Afghanis being airlifted out of Afghanistan and the rush to get the last plane?

Your mixing up migrants with refugees here.

This is it.
PP can skirt-around as much as they want, but this is the reason.

My Conservative generally white local authority did not accept Syrian or Afghan refugees but did accept Ukranian refugees. Make of that what you will.