A Ukrainian woman has had an emotional reunion at Bristol Airport after she has been trying to help bring her family to safety in the UK.
Speaking to BBC Points West, Iryna greeted her family at the airport on Friday (March 18) with open arms in the terminal in Bristol where she will help settle them into life in North Somerset. Her sister and other family members were able to secure visas after they fled to Poland, where they have been living for the past two weeks since the war broke out in Ukraine on February 24.
More than three million people have left Ukraine as Russia continues to use military force in regions all over the country. Sisters Iryna and Olya appeared on Friday morning's programme to outline what's next for the family after their safe arrival in Bristol.
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Stood by her sister's side, Iryna said: "I think we need to give them a little bit of rest, settle, because obviously, they've been through quite a lot of things. I think after that we'll plan our future, we'll see. Obviously, they need to find work, school and wait to see what happens in Ukraine next."
In a video shared on Twitter, Ukrainian mother and daughter Maryna and Maria have were pictured arrving at the airport having escaped the crisis in their country. "They’re here to stay with Maria’s British boyfriend Jacob and his family," the post read.
Applications for the Homes for Ukraine scheme opened on Monday (March 14) with 100,000 people across the UK signing up to take part. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees outlined Ukrainians will be eligible to live and work in the UK for up to three years, and access benefits, healthcare, employment and other support.
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Mr Rees said: "Sponsors need to be UK citizens or have at least six months leave to remain in the UK, and have a named person who they wish to sponsor; they will be eligible for payments of £350 per month for up to 12 months. There is no cap on places, and council are expected to receive funding of £10,500 per person (with extra available for child education)."
Sponsors are asked to provide rooms within a family home or self-contained accommodation rent-free, but they are not asked to provide food and subsistence. "Bristol residents who do have friends and family in Ukraine, who they would like to sponsor, please contact the national website here," he continued.
Meanwhile, Bristol City Council has urged the Government to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian refugees, with the Tories joining criticism that the current system is an unfair mess. Mayor Marvin Rees said national political decisions to create a “hostile environment” for those fleeing global hotspots “left us ill-equipped to cope with a world that is increasingly unstable”.
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