Official GSA Statement on Ukraine

Dear students and colleagues,

We have been watching with horror the developments in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and we wanted to contact you to express our condolences to the people of Ukraine as they resist the invasion by Russian forces. It’s horrific to hear the reports of minority ethnic groups that have been prohibited from fleeing Ukraine. Safety and protection must be provided to all refugees, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

The GSA strongly condemns this act of war and will continue to provide assistance to Ukrainian students, while we oppose racial discrimination and harassment of the Russian and Belarusian population – promoting peaceful activities on campus among different ethnic groups as always. We stand by all students who have connections with that region and worry about family and friends.

We have been in close contact with the University management in order to identify support needs for current Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students. Our Advice Service (advice@yorkgsa.org) remains open to all students who wish to get in contact and talk about any issues this crisis may cause them, whilst signposting students to other services regarding welfare/mental health and financial impacts. We will also post updates on any visa changes that may affect Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students, alongside any related issues faced by University of York Students that may be on an exchange programme in the region.

In the meantime, we are in the process of collating current campaigns on Saturday 5th March that are happening nationally to support Ukraine. If you wish to act immediately, The British Red Cross is accepting donations and volunteer time, World Food Programme created an appeal for food supplies, Christian Aid not only accepts donations but also created a petition for the government to help Ukrainian refugees to provide Ukrainian citizens with the supplies they need in the current circumstances. We are also working with YUSU who have set up a donation drop-off point at the YUSU office where they are currently accepting items such as clothing, shoes and toiletries until the end of Friday initially.

Viviane Cao, President

Ekansh Kapoor, Vice President Academic

Jiaying Tan, Vice President Wellbeing & Community