“This war first of all means enormous suffering. What we see is a humanitarian catastrophe. Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes stand with the suffering people,” said Monsignor Michael Landau, President of Caritas Europa, during an online press conference held by Caritas Internationalis on March 1. The Caritas confederation are calling on governments, NGOs and all people to work together to provide effective humanitarian corridors to provide care, hope and vital aid the suffering people of Ukraine.
Caritas Internationalis Secretary General, Aloysius John, during the online press conference said, “Caritas Internationalis reiterates that the life-saving help to the people cannot be reached without a safe humanitarian corridor and safety for the people who are on the road to exile” and called for solidarity and compassion to help all those affected by the ensuing conflict in eastern Europe.
Following the announcement of Pope Francis for a day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine on Ash Wednesday on March 2, Aloysius John expressed that “Caritas Internationalis joins the Holy Father in his prayer for peace in Ukraine and an end to the violence and we insist on advocating for a peaceful and immediate resolution of the conflict.”
According to UNHCR, over 600,000 people fled Ukraine one week after the outbreak of war between Russia and the eastern European country on February 24 with several thousand men, women, children and the elderly who are in transit. Subsequently, a refugee and humanitarian crisis is unfolding in neighbouring countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania. Yet in spite of the highly volatile and dangerous situation, Caritas staff and volunteers throughout eastern Europe have been quick to provide vital assistance and care for the people suffering in their local communities.
To date, Caritas-SPES have supported 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), mostly women and children with food, medicine and temporary accommodation, food and medicine. They are offering refuge to over 2,500 mothers with children and providing food for around 1,000 refugees every day along the country’s border. “Please save our people. I know that everything will be ok but I am thinking of how many of them will not be able to return to the country. Yes, because it is also very difficult to be outside and thinking about Ukraine and about family that remain here,” said Fr Vyacheslav Grynevych, Executive Director of Caritas-Spes Ukraine.
Tetiana Stawnychy, President of Caritas Ukraine, shared that Caritas staff and volunteers have actively helped provide food, clothing and psychosocial support. “Yes this is a huge trauma for all people… I see a lot of parents struggling on shepherding their children through this and this running up and down to the basement whenever the air raid sirens go off,” she said. In addition, she stated the need for more medical supplies and better procurement solutions to provide basic necessities, such as warm blankets and mattresses, for the most vulnerable displaced persons and those in transit along the country’s borders.
With the support and solidarity of the Caritas confederation, Caritas Ukraine (UA) and Caritas-SPES have been able to provide essential humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian people and are preparing, with support of Catholic Relief Services, to implement an emergency appeal to reach out to the victims of this war.
“Europe, the world must not forget the suffering people in Ukraine. They need us and they need us now… every euro counts and might save lives. So please do whatever you can to support the work there and in the neighbouring countries,” said Monsignor Michael Landau, President of Caritas Europa.