Ukrainian refugees living on a ship in Glasgow are currently facing physical and mental distress.
The residents of the MS Ambition have been quarantined because of a scarlet fever outbreak but it’s still not enough according to most of its occupants.
The ship, known as the MS Ambition, was branded along with the MS Victoria I in Edinburgh as a “floating refugees camps.”
A man on board the ship said: “A young boy was diagnosed with the contagious bacterial infection and I know of one other case. As much as there has not been an official statement in regard to this, we’re all scared. We did not run away from bombs to come die of a fever.”
Another person on the ship said many are suffering from coughs and stomach upsets. He continued to say: “There is a waste facility and we cannot open our windows as there in no fresh air outside.”
The MS Ambition is moored in the King George V dock on the River Clyde and was chartered by the Scottish government. It houses 1,750 Ukrainians as part of the £100m scheme. Residents can only leave the dock via shuttle bus.
Giving an update on the situation in Glasgow, the police report said: “MS Ambition, docked at King George V Dock Govan, has the ability to accommodate 1,400 persons and is almost getting too full capacity with 1120 people currently on board.”
It added: “Local community officers and safer communities’ colleagues have maintained regular liaison with stuff dockside and on ship, to provide visibility and assurance.”
Robina Qureshi, chief executive of the refugee charity Positive, said reports of infections were “very concerning” and on health and safety grounds alone, people should be advised of the risks they and their children and infants could be exposed to and they must take their own precautions to stay safe.
Cole-Hamilton, who is MP for Edinburgh Western, warned that unless more of the refugees can find permanent homes, the MS Victoria cruise ship moored in Leith could also suffer the same fate as the MS Ambition.
He also mentioned they are facing a worrying situation where both the MS Victoria and the MS Ambition refugees do not know where they will go after their placements ends. Many Scots have generously opened up their homes but months on, they are still wondering what comes next.
The Scottish government representatives declined to comment on reports of the scarlet fever and stating it is a matter for Glasgow City Council.
