The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is becoming more serious by the day.
The images and news coming out of Ukraine are heartbreaking.
The volume of refugees fleeing Ukraine for Poland alone is overwhelming, but you have responded to the call for help both financially and spiritually through your prayers.
Last month, the Diocese of Madison requested parishes take up a collection for Ukraine refugee relief.
The outpouring of support has been powerful.
The impact of your gifts is being put to work in two agencies, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
CRS in Ukraine
CRS, with its partner agency Caritas, has been providing emergency relief and recovery to displaced families including:
- Field kitchens to provide food.
- Reception services at Caritas offices, train stations, and other locations for displaced families in transit. These will provide information, food, water, hygiene items, and psychosocial support.
- Transportation of displaced families to friends, families, and local social services.
- Evacuation centers providing shelter, food, and psychosocial support for displaced families. These centers will include support to address emotional care, including case management and child-friendly spaces.
- Evacuating vulnerable children from the center in conflict areas to centers in safe zones.
CNEWA in Ukraine
Ukraine’s churches are in the midst of this war, tending to the needs of all those in harm’s way, regardless of their faith.
CNEWA is there with them, accompanying them in their courageous efforts as they live the Gospel.
Here are a few ways CNEWA is making a difference:
- Sheptytsky Hospital in Lviv, which is treating the wounded.
- The Ukrainian Greek Catholic eparchies of Chernivtsi, Kyiv, and Sokal-Zhovkva for their receiving centers for the displaced.
- The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Patriarchal Curia for their efforts in caring for the displaced and bolstering the cyber security infrastructure of the Church.
- Caritas Ukraine; the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv for the support of their centers for the displaced.
How you can make a difference
Although more than $200,000 has been sent and shared between CRS and CNEWA, you can still make a difference.
We are continuing to collect funds and will make additional payments as necessary.
Feel free to donate at your parish or in one of the following ways:
A check payable to Diocese of Madison, mail to:
Diocese of Madison — Ukrainian Relief
702 S. High Point Rd., Ste. 225
Madison, WI 53719
Make an online donation: www.madisondiocese.org/Ukraine