Stop matching lone female Ukraine refugees with single men, UK told

Ukrainians and supporters demonstrate in London last month. UNHCR says safeguards must be in place to guard against exploitation of refugees. Photograph: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

The UN refugee agency has called on the UK government to intervene to stop single British men from being matched up with lone Ukrainian women seeking refuge from war because of fears of sexual exploitation.

Following claims that predatory men are using the Homes for Ukraine scheme to target the vulnerable, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) told the Guardian “a more appropriate matching process” could be put in place to ensure women and women with children are matched with families or couples.