Ukraine, March 25, 2022
theconversation.com
OrthoChristian presents another selection of recent reports on humanitarian aid to suffering Ukrainians and refugees from Local Orthodox Churches:
Ukraine
The clergy, parishioners, and Orthodox youth of the Odessa Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continue to provide all possible assistance to refugees arriving in the city and departing for the border. Hundreds of displaced people receive food, clothing, housing, and transport, and about 1,000 people are fed daily at churches throughout the city.
A full-fledged hospital with 30 beds is being equipped in the Holy Protection Church in Zhytomyr. Church volunteers have undergone training on emergency care. The Kiev Caves Lavra donated 5 vehicles to transport the wounded to Kiev hospitals.
The Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Church has published numerous reports about dioceses, parishes, and monasteries throughout Ukraine preparing and distributing free food to refugees and the needy, and providing all forms of necessary assistance.
Monasteries throughout Ukraine and Russia are housing thousands of refugees. More than 400 refugees, including 80 children, have found shelter in the Svyatogorsk Lavra and its sketes and dependencies.
Thanks to the efforts of the Severodonetsk and Dnipropetrovsk Dioceses, the UOC recently managed to evacuate more than 130 civilians, including 9 with disabilities and serious illnesses.
Russia
Donations for refugees and victims were collected in churches through the Patriarchate three Sundays in a row, and humanitarian aid was sent to Donbass and the Kherson and Kharkov Provinces. Warehouses in Moscow and the Moscow region have also been selected for receiving and further sending aid.
As of March 21, Russian citizens have donated 2,276,273 rubles ($22,880) to help refugees through the Synodal Department for Charity’s fundraiser.
Romania
The Romanian Patriarchate sent 22 tons of humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees to Cahul, Moldova on Tuesday, following on its shipment to Chișinău last month. Another transport of 19 tons to be sent to Moldova is also being prepared.
Seminarians from Suceava have been recruited to work at information points where refugees are entering the country from Romania. They also help distribute funds raised by Romanian parishioners.
Altogether, the Romanian Church has spent well over $5 million (24 million lei) helping refugees in Romania and Moldova and the suffering in Ukraine.
Poland
The Polish Church’s ELEOS Charity Center, individual parishes, and other Church organizations provide Ukrainian refugees with housing, food, hygiene products, and clothing, and organize children’s centers and training for schoolchildren. ELEOS has spent more than 440,000 PLN ($102,470) on humanitarian aid.
Finland
Through various charitable organizations, the Finnish Church has sent humanitarian aid to several locations in Ukraine, and 75,000 euros ($82,606) has been transferred to support refugees.
Cyprus
His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamassos met with Ukrainian refugees on Monday to help them with accommodations and food. The children were also given computers and tablets to be able to continue their studies.
He then traveled to the Ukrainian-Polish border, where he met with local Orthodox hierarchs and local authorities to assess the needs of the refugees and how his diocese could help.
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