Ukraine war visas issued for Isle of Wight bound refugees

On April 6, just 39 visas had been issued for the Island, under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

There has been continued criticism that the Government is not working fast enough, leaving families and sponsors in limbo.

The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, also known as Homes for Ukraine, allows people in the UK to volunteer to house refugees for at least six months.

Scroll down to find out how to donate aid - and what's needed...

Isle of Wight drop off points for donations to Ukraine and its refugees.

Loading aid on the Isle of Wight, in March.

Those who gain sponsorship can live, work and study in the UK for up to three years.

The Government said the data is likely to contain some duplicate records.

The Isle of Wight has also been sending aid to Moldova, through East Cowes charity MAD-Aid.

Read more: 

• Isle of Wight's Karl Love in Moldova with MAD-Aid Ukraine aid
• Isle of Wight brass bands perform to raise cash for Ukraine

Here's what is currently needed by MAD-Aid, on the Isle of Wight. Donate via the County Press - details below.

Donations from thirteen lorries are supporting its work, via its Phoenix Centre, which is housing some of those who are fleeing the war.

The charity also wants to raise funds to sustain 20 centres, housing 1,500 Ukrainians, by buying housing in Moldova.

The cost of this is £14,000 per month to maintain.

According to Moldova's government 97,000 Ukrainians including 48,000 children, had crossed the border by the end of March.

• CLICK HERE to donate to MAD-Aid's appeal
• Donate goods at the Isle of Wight County Press office on Pyle Street during working hours and find a drop-off point near you, above.
• CLICK HERE to visit the Isle of Wight Facebook page for the latest on the aid effort

Meanwhile, in the UK, there have also been national reports of Ukrainian families unable to travel, due to individual members not being granted visas.

A spokesperson for the UK Government said: "The changes the Home Office has made to streamline the visa system, including simplifying the forms and boosting staff numbers, are working and we are now processing visas as quickly as they come in – enabling thousands more Ukrainians to come through our uncapped routes."

• Read more: Isle of Wight charity MAD-Aid lays out Ukraine crisis plans

Stephen Kinnock, shadow minister for immigration, said it was "truly inspiring" to see so many British households open their doors to fleeing refugees.

But he also criticised the UK Government’s handling of the scheme, saying issues with processing visas had created a "bureaucratic nightmare."