The final paperwork which will allow 50 Ukrainian orphans to make their way to sanctuary in Scotland has been issued to the Dnipro Kids charity and flights are in the process of being arranged.
The child refugees should arrive in Scotland within days having overcome all the legal hurdles which stood in the way of moving them across Europe.
The children from Dnipro, who range from infants to young adults, were due to fly from Poland to London with carers on Monday, then travel to Scotland.
A last minute hitch, one of many encountered by the Scottish charity bringing the children to safety, delayed the flight.
SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford MP, who has been closely involved with Hibs FC fans charity, said that with all the necessary paperwork issued the children can get safely to Scotland imminently.
Blackford said: “I’m hopeful of a resolution soon and that the flight can happen in days, if not tomorrow”.
He added: “The priority through all of this is the safety and wellbeing of the children – and this paperwork should be the final piece of the jigsaw they have been waiting for. I hope we can now ensure they will soon be warmly welcomed to sanctuary in Scotland without further delay.”
Blackford raised the issue at Prime Minister’s Questions this month and Home Secretary Priti Patel announced last week that the Ukrainian authorities had confirmed they would be allowed to seek temporary sanctuary in Scotland.
The charity Dnipro Kids, which was set up by Hibs FC fans, enabled the children to flee Ukraine for Poland.
Steven Carr, the chairman of Dnipro Kids who led the evacuation effort in Ukraine and Poland, said the move was a huge relief.
He said: “We’ve known these children and their carers for many years, and I’m looking forward to bringing them back to Scotland where they can finally get the peace and security they need.
“I’m over the moon that it now seems we can finally bring the Dnipro Kids to sanctuary in Scotland. This is a huge relief and I’m thankful to all involved in reaching this breakthrough.”
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