The Suffolk community has been praised for its welcoming attitude to refugees as new figures revealed the warmth it had shown in extending a hand of friendship to those fleeing brutal conflict.
Data from the Home Office has revealed that local authorities in Suffolk have welcomed 1,292 Ukrainians under the Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme, equivalent to one for every 588 people living in the county.
READ MORE: Appeal for hosts as 1,169 Ukrainians now in Suffolk
A total of 102 Afghans have also been resettled in the county after leaving Afghanistan following the takeover by the hardline Islamist group the Taliban.
This equates to one for every 7,455 people.
Of the different districts, East Suffolk had accommodated the highest number of Ukrainians, with 396, while West Suffolk had welcomed 336.
READ MORE: Suffolk Ukrainian hosts appeal attracts just 27 new homes
The borough of Ipswich had accommodated the highest number of Afghans with 43, while West Suffolk had welcomed 34.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Norfolk - the closest in terms of size and population - 1,411 Ukrainians arrived under Homes for Ukraine, equivalent to one for every 651 people, along with 112 Afghans, or one for every 8,199 Norfolk residents.
Martin Simmonds, from charity Suffolk Refugee Support, which supports refugees and asylum seekers, praised 'towns, villages, schools and communities' for rallying to welcome people and make them feel at home.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
He said: "Suffolk can be extremely proud of the warm welcome it has shown to Ukrainian refugees over the last 15 months.
"People have shown great generosity by providing sanctuary in their own homes for those fleeing a brutal conflict.
"Towns, villages, schools and communities up and down the county have rallied round to welcome people and help them feel at home.
"We know from our work that alongside all the challenges of separation, trauma and uncertainty for the future, lifelong friendships have been built and people have shown incredible resilience to succeed in their new lives here."
Kim Balshaw, who has been helping to match Ukrainians with sponsors, said Suffolk County Council was now more 'proactive' in supporting Ukrainians than it had been in the early days following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
He said of the 120 Ukrainians who had been welcomed and provided with support in Felixstowe, 30% had moved elsewhere (including return to Ukraine), 45% had moved into private rental accommodation in Felixstowe and 25% were still with host families.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here