A rally for Ukraine March 20, 2022 at the Harvey Avenue pedestrian overpass in Kelowna.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kelowna man organizing fundraising efforts for Ukrainian is also waiting for the arrival of his relatives from Kyiv.

Dennis Storozhuk’s uncle and his family are hunkering down with a friend in Poland after they fled the capital. Storozhuk said the final straw was when a missile hit a TV tower close to his uncle’s home.

Storozhuk is the organizer of Kelowna Stands with Ukraine, a group of volunteers formed shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. They have been collecting military and medical supplies to send overseas, as well as funded training and provided equipment for locals who wanted to join the fight in Ukraine.

READ MORE: Kelowna man defending military units in Ukraine

Since the war began, Storozhuk said he’s halted his own business operations to take on Kelowna Stands with Ukraine for 18 hours a day. His uncle and four relatives, including a six-month-old baby, are currently searching for accommodation in Kelowna while they wait to find a path to the country.

The cultural barrier has been difficult for them, he said, as Ukrainians are not used to asking for help in this way.

“They don’t know how we communicate and how we address each other. They are shy and they are shocked. Their lives turned upside down a few months ago,” Storozhuk said.

READ MORE: Kamloops organizations planning for arrival of Ukrainian refugees

A new, dedicated Welcoming Ukraine portal is now operational in B.C. and provides information to Ukrainians who are moving to the province, as well as for British Columbians who want to volunteer or donate to show their support.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, estimates that 3.9 million people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries since Feb. 24.

The government opened applications on March 17 to allow those fleeing the Russian invasion to come to Canada for three years on a visitor visa while they decide whether to return home or apply for permanent residency.

READ MORE: Connecting Ukrainians fleeing to Canada with community support could prove difficult

The problem for Storozhuk’s family has been the sheer number of applicants to the visa program, so they currently have no timeframe of when they will be able to get to Canada.

“Then they’ll need to find a flight which is extra expensive,” he said, adding that some airlines have discounts but they’re still expensive. Some organizations are holding charter flights to Canada from Poland but there are no guarantee.

Kelowna Stands with Ukraine is hoping to help facilitate the arrival of Ukrainian refugees to Kelowna and will help them adjust to the culture.

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