Brighton priest slams government visa scheme for Ukrainians

Christy Smith, an Irish pastor for Elim Church in Braybon Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, has witnessed Ukrainian refugees trying to complete the online visa applications in the “bitter cold” while camped out in fields.

The 57-year-old has been travelling back and forth to Rzeszów in Poland, near the Ukraine border, helping refugees come to England, Ireland and Germany. He has been going since the beginning of March.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, with millions of people displaced from their homes.

Christy and his wife Linda buying supplies in Poland

Pastor Christy has provided aid in several war-torn or disaster-struck countries, including Kosovo, Haiti and Indonesia.

He has been frustrated with the government after seeing “pale people with sunken eyes” trying to fill in visa forms.

Speaking from Rzeszów, a Polish city which is 110 miles from Lviv in Ukraine, Pastor Christy said the government’s visa process is a “disgrace” and has left people waiting in limbo.

Rzeszów train station. Picture from Christy Smith

He said: “The whole system, every time you put someone in it asks if this person is in the Russian army. If you’re sitting in a bitterly cold field with a little phone, or a Polish café trying to process yourself and four children, trying to figure out where there is a sponsor for you, trying to figure out how do you fly.

"Everybody looks the same. Black eyes, pale skin, blue lips, trauma. What’s happening is a disgrace.

“The heart of the people is shown with hundreds of thousands of homes being opened up but for me, the politicians have made it too difficult. It’s a simple task that has been made too difficult.

A family of nine who were sent to Germany. Picture from Christy Smith

“There was one lady with her family, there was seven of them. She told me where she had come from and couldn’t even say the name of her city, she just sobbed.

“One of the kids was sick, one was screaming. Most of them were dazed and looked traumatised. You’re saying I hand them www.gov.uk and make them fill in the applications?"

The Home Office said it has “made changes” to the forms people have been filling out to speed up the visa process.

As of March 27, the government has issued 21,600 visas. 37,400 visas have been submitted in total.

A family preparing to leave Rzeszów train station. Picture from Christy Smith

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: “We are moving as quickly as possible to ensure that those fleeing horrific persecution in Ukraine can find safety in the UK, setting up both the Ukraine family scheme and now the homes for Ukraine scheme which allows those without family connections to come here.  

“We have streamlined the visa application process so valid passport holders no longer have to attend in-person appointments before arriving and made changes to the forms people have to fill out in order to help people through the process as quickly as possible.

“Support is available to applicants through our free 24/7 helpline and in Visa Application Centres.”

For more information on Brighton Elim church's work to help Ukrainian people, contact Christy@brightonelim.org.uk.

The Argus has launched a fundraising appeal to help those affected by the horrific and barbaric war in Ukraine.

As we have reported since the Russian invasion began, the conflict is close to home, with people in Brighton and Hove and across Sussex having loved ones directly affected.

In recent weeks, The Argus has spoken to many who have fled the country or have family stuck in Ukraine and reported on the incredible and selfless acts of Sussex residents who have gone above and beyond to help those fleeing the war.

A nine-storey residential building in Kyiv after shelling by Russian forces which killed at least one person: credit - State Emergency Service of Ukraine

We, like many of you, want to help and be #ThereWithUkraine.
Money raised will go directly to the British Red Cross DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, helping civilians affected by the ongoing crisis.

Your donation could help someone affected get food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes, and shelter.

To donate, go to our JustGiving page.