Tuesday 28 February 2023
The Committee for Home Affairs believes the Ukraine family and sponsorship schemes have supported the island, through the generosity of its community, to make a tangible contribution to people who have been through so much.
Following the recent one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Committee wanted to publicly thank Humanitarian Aid Guernsey, the wider third sector and fellow States Committees for their collective support in helping the schemes run smoothly with appropriate support in place for beneficiaries.
We currently have 24 Ukrainians who have been granted visas to enter and remain in the island through the schemes, with a further four due to arrive shortly:
- 14 people granted visas via the family scheme
- 10 granted visas via the sponsorship scheme
- 4 due to arrive in the island shortly via the sponsorship scheme
Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, said:
'The Committee has been pleased to have been able, with the support of other committees, to put in place both the family and sponsorship schemes. They would not have been as successful without the involvement of Humanitarian Aid Guernsey and other 3rd sector colleagues.
'The schemes have helped give the island, through the generosity of our community, a further avenue to make a tangible contribution to the people of Ukraine who have been through so much, and continue to suffer at the hands of Russian invaders. I would like to thank those who have welcomed people into their homes, third sector partners for their support, States of Guernsey staff for the way they set up and run the schemes, and all islanders for welcoming beneficiaries into our community.
'The Committee has not placed an "end date" on accepting applications, but the schemes' operation is intrinsically linked to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the circumstances of it. Beneficiaries arriving in the island are supported in a number of ways, including accessing core services available to islanders as needed, such as income support, education and health. We have also arranged for beneficiaries to have English and maths lessons through The Guernsey Institute if needed and they also receive advice on the third sector support that is available.'
The Ukraine Coordination Support Team can be contacted via 220001, option 3. Alternatively, please email ukraine@gov.gg.
The policy for the Bailiwick of Guernsey Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme can be read at www.gov.gg/ukraineresponse
