On May 9, 2022, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador published a Ministerial Statement and announced the arrival of 166 Ukrainian refugees to St. Johns. Newfoundland and Labrador became the first state actor in North America to organize a humanitarian airlift of Ukrainian nationals. The province has announced its support to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion and created the Ukrainian Family Support Desk, launched an online service registrationa form to connect Ukrainians or those planning to travel to the province.