A Lockerbie woman waiting to take in Ukrainian refugees is “frustrated” at red tape holding up the visas needed to get the family to safety.
Helen King has been waiting for a month to welcome Olena Krasovskaya and her children, Polina and Nikita.
They fled their home following the invasion by Russian troops and are currently in a holding centre in Poland waiting for visas to be granted to allow them to come to Scotland.
But so far, only one of the three has been approved, which is stopping the family from making their way to Lockerbie where they will live for at least six months.
Helen said: “I’m really concerned about the length of time it’s taking to get these visas, despite the Scottish Government’s super-sponsor scheme which is intended to short-circuit this and allow Ukrainians to get here and be supported more quickly.
“I’ve also been trying to get help from my MP, David Mundell, after being told he’s been able to get others swift responses, but I’ve heard nothing.
“Olena applied for a UK visa on March 23 and other than confirmation of her application, she has heard nothing at all from the UK authorities.
“Once she is advised that her visa application has been submitted she, literally, could be on the very next flight to Scotland, bringing her children to a place of sanctuary.
“The lack of clarity over the situation is so frustrating.
“Olena’s son’s visa has come through but hers and her daughter’s hasn’t. They could have been lost yet we can’t find anything out.
“It is incredible just how much of a mess the UK visa application system is.”
Helen and husband Stuart decided to take in the family just days after war broke out in Ukraine.
The couple were put in contact with a woman who set up the Glasgow group of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which matches families fleeing the country with those here volunteering to take them in.
They were matched with Olena, who was a dentist in Ukraine, and her children.
She was forced to leave behind her oldest son who is 21 and joined the fight against the Russian invaders.
Helen added: “We just want them here now and we still have no idea when it will happen.
“I’m very concerned that the refugees coming in through the Scottish Government Super Sponsorship Scheme will not be able to go directly to their host families that they have connected with and will, instead, be taken to the Crichton in Dumfries or other processing centres.
“While I understand it may be necessary for those who don’t have hosts to go through that process, for the ones that do, this is going to potentially be very confusing and stressful for them.”
“I have however referred the particular case raised by Mr and Mrs King to the Minister for Refugees in an attempt to have it expedited.”
