A humanitarian hub has been set up at London Luton Airport to provide practical support for air passengers arriving from war-torn Ukraine.

Organised by Bedfordshire’s Local Resilience Forum, which involves the airport, local authorities, National Health Service clinical commissioning groups, emergency services and the charity and voluntary sector, the hub provide a warm welcome to those suffering the trauma of being uprooted from their homeland.

At the hub arrivals are greeted by volunteers from the Bedfordshire and Luton Emergency Volunteers Executive Committee, the British Red Cross and the airport chaplaincy.

Refreshments are provided, while advisers give guidance for onward travel within the UK. Paramedics from the Hearts First Ambulance Service are on hand to provide mental and physical health support information, and advice, information and useful contact numbers are also available.

Alberto Martin, CEO at London Luton Airport, said: “As an international airport we help to connect cultures, places and people, so it has been heart breaking to witness events unfold in Ukraine. We are proud of the support we provide to our communities and are glad we can play a small part in ensuring a warm welcome to Ukrainian families as they arrive in the UK”.