TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Ukrainian family who fled the war in their homeland departed Tainan on their sailboat Saturday (April 27) on their way to Canada, where they hope to build a new life.
The father, a 51-year-old man named Valeriy, his 38-year-old wife, and 13-year-old son, expressed their gratitude to the people of Taiwan for welcoming them and assisting them during their stay, reported UDN.
The family left Ukraine last year and arrived in Taiwan in November. After leaving Tongyeong Port in South Korea en route to the Philippines, strong winds and damage to their boat's rudder forced them to seek assistance in Taichung Harbor.
The family was warmly welcomed, and despite receiving only a seven-day visa on arrival, they were later granted extensions to remain in Taiwan while their boat was repaired. In December, the boat was towed to Tainan, where it was able to receive the necessary repairs.
After learning of the family’s situation in February, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) personally welcomed the family and instructed the Tainan government to provide any assistance necessary.
The port authority was instructed to provide space for the family’s sailboat so that it could undergo repairs and subsequent launching tests to ensure the vessel was safe for continued travel.
Local officials in Tainan gave snacks to the family ahead of their departure, and wished them all the best on their journey across the Pacific and for their future life in Canada.