July 16, 2015
Ukraine
"We're not doing enough. Nobody is discussing how the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine is affecting 1.3 million people who have had to leave behind their homes and everything they once had," says Erik Heinonen, the Program manager of the American charity Catholic Relief Services for Ukraine.
Charity teams from different countries have being helping victims of the conflict in Ukraine since the crisis started. They provide food supplies, water and medicine for people with chronic diseases. Caritas assistants also deliver services such as counselling and psychosocial support to overcome the traumas of war. They provide immediate support when it is necessary.
Caritas Ukraine has provided humanitarian aid to over 50,000 people affected by the conflict and will have supported another 30,000 by the end of 2015. In collaboration with Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Ukraine has opened six facilities fully equipped and designed for children. 500 children will receive the counselling and assistance needed for dealing with the trauma they have experienced.
"These are children who were hidden in shelters or saw and heard shooting," says Heinonen. "What we are doing is trying to establish pre-school facilities, nurseries and after-school programs. One of the goals is to help children integrate into new communities which they are moved into along with their families to return a sense of normality and stability to their lives."
The charities of Caritas Internationalis and member organizations which are now operating in the Ukraine (including Caritas CR) are facing a lack of financial aid. This is one of the main barriers to helping people. There is a significant lack of financial support because the crisis in Ukraine is often presented as a political crisis and not as a humanitarian crisis which millions of people suffer from.
Kevin Hartigan, the Regional Director of the American Charity CRS for Europe, Middle East and Central Asia, adds to this: "We could do more for the people in Ukraine if we had more resources. Together with other humanitarian organizations we are only to help the most vulnerable families as we have only very limited resources."
International and Czech charities will continue to provide aid to all people in distress and in the war-torn eastern parts of Ukraine. The supplies of essential food, water, housing and shelters for families, and psychosocial support and assistance for people returning to work will constantly be ensured.
"We are hearing what we had hoped to hear," says Heinonen. "The children are happy and parents have a little more comfort in their life." The newly acquired facility and flexibility will help restore the livelihoods of families and their lives. However, the aid must continue.
You can help Caritas Ukraine by sending a financial contribution to the account number 55660022/0800 with number 104 as the variable symbol. We would like to thank all donors.
