WATCH: Slava Ukraini! Jersey stands with you

Friday 04 March 2022

Shouts of ‘Slava Ukraini!’ rung out in a candlelit Royal Square tonight as a Ukrainian islander spoke of the horrors of the war unleashed on her friends, family and country – and their determination to fight for peace.

Against the backdrop of the Royal Court and States Chamber buildings lit in yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag, Kyiv-born Lera Evered told hundreds of islanders that she had now “started watching horror movies to relax because it’s less scary than the reality.”

Russia's brutal invasion has left her friends and family in peril – among them, her cousin in Ukraine's capital, who is due to have a baby in one week.

"There's a very real chance that this baby will be born under aerial bombardment not in maternity hospital but in a crowded and unhygienic basement without any medical help."

WATCH: Lera Evered's speech in full.

Within days, many Ukainians were left without heat, electricity or water – "people are starting to take water from ponds and rivers," Lera explained.

Densely populated cities, and "peaceful" towns and villages have been "flattened and razed to the ground", Lera explained.

Maternity hospitals, schools, colleges and children's homes have been bombed, and "Putin's army occupants" – some of whom have chillingly termed their terror a "safari" – have started shooting civilians.

Lera isn't learning this from news reports alone. She is receiving real-time dispatches from a crumbling nation through the eyes of her loved ones. Her phone, she told islanders, is "practically melting".

But now that connection is at risk – even the cell networks are starting to falter.

Watching such horror unfold, she said she knew some felt helpless – but there are ways to help.

She said, on behalf of her people, that there were “tremendously grateful for Jersey’s support, the speed and extent of it” – help that has ranged from donations of clothing and toiletries for refugees, funding and relaxed visa requirements to allow Ukrainians to seek refuge with their families in Jersey.

Tonight, Jersey's Government has announced a £1m kickstart donation to the Bailiff's special appeal for Ukraine, which comes in addition to £360,000 from Jersey Overseas Aid.

What is needed now is support for those who are not leaving “because it’s their home” – many of whom are now having to train to fight for their country.

Through her melting phone, Lera is receiving requests for specific aid and carefully verifying and compiling them. Though thousands of miles away, she is determined to act because "the whole of Ukraine - every single person there - is my family now."

Video: Hand in hand, Musical Originals opened tonight's vigil with a rendition of Prayer for the Children.

“They do need support with body armour, bullet proof jackets, helmets, infrastructure, supplies, medical help and mostly with the feeling that they are not alone in this.”

The support Jersey has given so far, however, gives “enormous moral support for those there, those who are fighting, those who are helping, those who are sheltering, Lera concluded.

“Some might feel it is not necessary and a drain on local resources – this is not the case.

"Ukraine is not simply asking for money – we’re asking to help us to protect the world. Everything in modern world is interconnected.

“This small war can easily spread into a whole world conflict and there will be no winners in World War 3."

Lera’s emotional speech followed ‘Prayer for the Children’ performed by Musical Originals, and an address by the Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, who said the vigil was a way to “make it clear that our hearts and minds and support are with the people of Ukraine.”

Video: The Bailiff's speech.

"Jersey is doing what it can to support those who have been dispossessed and have fled to other countries and to provide essential supplies such as medicines, clothing and basic necessities as well as, through the Appeal that we have set up, vital financial aid. As usual the Jersey response at the Parish Halls and elsewhere has been and will be great and generous.

"We also hope to welcome Ukrainians into island homes."

"But this evening is not about that," he continued. "This evening is about standing together, shoulder to shoulder, and saying in the only way that we can that this aggression has no place in the modern world and we stand with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine in support and solidarity."

Himself "shoulder to shoulder" with the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Dean on the 'Wace' steps, the Bailiff went on to note that Jersey understands "the loss of liberty and privation" that occupation can bring.

"We are sensitive to the value of that liberty and that freedom and for us it is important to stand with this beleaguered country and its people to offer what support we can and to say by our presence here this evening – you are not forgotten; we are with you.

"We are hopeful that one day soon your ordeal will be over and you will have the peace and the liberty that you are entitled to, as a sovereign democracy and as people."

Pictured: The Very Reverend Mike Keirle said a prayer for Ukraine.

While decrying Russian President Vladimir Putin for launching the "onslaught" on Ukrainian soil launched under "a false pretext", which has led to "many casualties and many hundreds of thousands displaced", the Bailiff was clear that Jersey was not standing "in condemnation of the Russian people."

"Many of the Russian people are either misled by their government or are as appalled by their government's action as are we," he said.

"They, those who are not fooled by their government, know what has happened and stand equally with their neighbours in Ukraine with whom they are so closely and naturally linked in support of them as well.

"A number of them are here this evening." 

Video: Islanders lighting candles for Ukraine.

The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike Keirle, said a prayer, and the Town Church bell rang, before silence fell.

The minute was broken by a Brass Souls chorus of the Ukrainian national anthem that guided islanders through the now-dark square, one by one, as they lit candles.

HOW CAN I HELP?

DONATE: Islanders can donate to the Bailiff's fund, which aims to coordinate all island donations and send them to where they are most needed. Find out how to donate HERE.

VOLUNTEER: The Polish consul has also been coordinating collections of clothing and toiletries for refugees arriving over the Polish and Romanian borders. They are now no longer accepting donations but are seeking volunteers to help them sort through them.

Their latest call-outs for help can all be found on Facebook HERE.