The charity USPG and the Church of England Diocese in Europe are launching an emergency appeal to get aid to people in desperate need because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Funds raised by the appeal will support Christian charities and churches carrying out humanitarian work both in Ukraine and responding to the arrival of refugees in neighbouring countries.
Their partners on the ground are providing food, medicine, shelter, care for children and people internally displaced in Ukraine. For refugees they are supplying care at the border and beyond, including attention to those from Africa and Asia, as well as Ukrainians who are fleeing the war. The appeal is for urgent help now but the work will go on for many months.
The Church of England’s Bishop in Europe, the Rt Revd Robert Innes said: "War is horrible. It injures, destroys and kills in an often indiscriminate and uncontrollable way. And now, we face war in Europe. The people of our little church, Christ Church Kyiv, find themselves in the midst of this crisis. They are typical of so many others. Some have fled the city whilst others are still there; praying for their safety and for peace as they shelter as best they can. These people are our brothers and sisters. Those still in Ukraine and those who have fled need our help."
The Church of England Diocese in Europe has more than 140 churches (Chaplaincies) and 300 congregations, spread over 42 countries across Europe, North Africa and Turkey. Amongst these are chaplaincies in Kyiv, Riga, Budapest, Warsaw, Prague, Belgrade,
Bucharest, Moscow and St Petersburg.
USPG’s General Secretary, the Revd Duncan Dormor, added: "Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine at this profoundly difficult time. At USPG we are deeply aware of the work of the churches mobilising to support those who are suffering."
USPG (the Anglican mission agency that partners churches and communities worldwide in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential and champion justice) says it has launched this appeal in partnership with the Diocese in Europe to "stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and support church responses to the current crisis."
The Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York said: "Prayer changes our hearts and it changes our resolve. At the start of this season of Lent, many of us will be thinking about the things we can do to follow Jesus more closely. One of the things we can do is to play our part in receiving and supporting refugees who are living with the horror of this conflict in Ukraine and its consequences. Please support USPG’s call for generous humanitarian aid and support."
More than a million refugees have fled the war in Ukraine. To donate to the Ukraine emergency appeal, visit www.uspg.org.uk/ukraine
Since 2015 the Diocese in Europe and USPG have been working together to respond to the needs of refugees across Europe. Working ecumenically, we have enabled the distribution of food and hygiene items, translation provision, legal support, psychosocial care, and
accommodation for unaccompanied minors among others. Recent projects include work in Greece and in Calais.
