March 15, 2022 News

Caritas organizations across Europe joined forces to help people affected by war

We started helping on the border with Ukraine immediately after the Russian attack. Since the start of the conflict, Caritas Czech Republic has raised over CZK 101 million (4 million EUR), sent three trucks with humanitarian aid to the most affected areas and is also helping refugees in the Czech Republic. We are able to meet the needs of people in Ukraine, on the run and in the target countries thanks to the joint efforts of the entire Caritas network.

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The end of February of this year will probably not be soon forgotten. Certainly not by the Ukrainians. Russia's invasion of their territory unleashed the biggest armed conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War. The network of Caritas has, therefore, joined together with our partners in Ukraine to help people whose lives have been affected by the war.

It is with partner Caritas organisations, firefighters, mayors and others that a functioning transition for women, children and the elderly fleeing the country has been made. Thanks to the previously established contacts, the Caritas network was able to respond immediately to the situation and were the first organisation to help in this way.

Help at the border

One concrete example of assistance can be found at the border crossing in Vyšné Nemecké. There, tents with food, drinks and clothing are prepared for fleeing Ukrainians. The aim is to make one of the first experiences that refugees have outside their home country as positive as possible.

Anton Frič from Spišská katolícká charita has been helping on the Slovak-Ukrainian border since the first day of the Russian invasion. „The situation was really bad from the beginning, so we immediately started to help, finding transport and accommodation, handing out hot tea, coffee and chocolate to calm the children down and make them feel a bit better," says Anton Frič directly from the border crossing in Vyšné Nemecké.

The border is not the only place where Caritas is involved. A large distribution centre in Warsaw has been created and another one is being set up in Bratislava. In addition, we are also building distribution centres directly in Ukraine.

In cooperation with our Ukrainian counterparts, we can thus more easily supply those affected with food and drink, for example, and we are also arranging shelter for those who need it. "We are responding to the specific needs of our co-workers from Caritas Mariupol who have moved to Zaporozhye due to the ongoing fighting and with whom we are in constant contact," explains Veronika Mechová from the Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation of the Ostrava-Opava Diocesan Caritas.

Thanks to our network of volunteers and experts, we also provide transportation from the areas of fighting to safety, psychosocial assistance, or help to children's homes and others.

Trucks with humanitarian aid

We also sent the first part of the financial support to our partners in Ukraine, which was collected directly from Czech donors. In addition to financial aid, we also sent material aid, which arrived in Zaporozhye in the southeast of the country on Monday morning. The first two trucks with goods worth CZK 1.5 million were donated to Ukraine by Makro Cash & Carry Czech Republic.

Currently, the Caritas Czech Republic most appreciates direct financial aid. "This type of aid is the most appreciated at the moment, as it allows us to plan and provide aid effectively both at home and in Ukraine," explains Evžen Diviš, the Regional Manager of the Caritas Czech Republic.

Helping refugees in the Czech Republic

The Caritas Czech Republic is in close contact with the Ministry of the Interior, the Administration of Refugee Facilities, the Prague Integration Centre, but also with a number of non-profit organisations, volunteers and colleagues from regional Caritas organisations. Together we coordinate activities to help people who have fled the war in Ukraine to the Czech Republic.

The Caritas Czech Republic operates a free and anonymous information line in both the Czech and Ukrainian languages. In addition to basic information, useful phone numbers and addresses, we also offer interpretation and, last but not least, psychosocial support.

"A number of local Caritas organisations are looking for accommodation for the Ukrainians arriving or for the material assistance they need in their locality. We recommend that you check the website of the nearest Caritas in your area," says Klára Boumová, the Advocacy Manager for Migration at the Caritas Czech Republic.