Photo: AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda
"Support vital for people desperately seeking shelter”
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has launched a call for donations to support the churches and people of Ukraine, who are fleeing their homes and seeking shelter, basic necessities such as food and water, following Russia’s military invasion of the country.
LWF General Secretary Rev. Anne Burghardt said this “support is vital for people desperately seeking shelter from the gunfire and bombing. Every donation counts.”
Great need for support
Many civilians are seeking safety and security, both inside the country and in neighboring countries. Traumatized people are also in need of pastoral and psychosocial support. Lutheran churches and their diaconal organizations in Ukraine and in the neighboring countries are already providing support or preparing to do so. This includes providing emergency kits, basic necessities, shelter, basic medical services, pastoral care, and psychosocial support.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine is providing local support and increasing its support to the population. They have called for diplomatic support as well as humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine.
Church leaders in neighboring countries have also pledged their support. In a pastoral letter sent this week, Polish Bishop Jerzy Samiec called on parishes “to welcome people from Ukraine and offer them support during this difficult time.” He emphasized the need “to stand together now and provide help to those who need assistance and shelter from war.” Hungarian bishop Tamás Fabiny and other church leaders in the region have also appealed for help for all those in need calling on parishes to be welcoming and supporting.
LWF will support and coordinate its member churches in providing humanitarian assistance to all populations in need, according to the humanitarian principles and international standards. LWF will also engage in advocacy for peace and support its member churches in their advocacy work.
The LWF member churches in neighboring countries include the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania, and The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary.
LWF has launched a call for donations to support the churches and people of Ukraine. The LWF member churches churches in the neighboring countries are already receiving people. LWF is supporting and coordinating its member churches in providing this humanitarian assistance to refugees.
LWF's is coordinating a response through its member churches in Ukraine and the neighboring countries to ensure support to Ukrainian refugees as well as their safe and dignified arrival. The work is supported by LWF's funding partners, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
