Like many other countries where CNEWA serves, in Ukraine the health care system does not have the capacity to cope adequately with the COVID-19 pandemic if the virus continues to spread at the current rate.
The Church, as always, is stepping in to help the most vulnerable. Volunteers from parishes and organizations such as Caritas are distributing masks, food, hygiene products and health safety information to the elderly, homeless, needy families and hospitals.
For the people of eastern Ukraine, they face many challenges. Not only do they deal with the constant fear of random shelling since Russia first attacked the region in 2014; now they also have to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic on top of that.
Volunteers at Caritas Volnovakha and Severodonetsk have sewn and distributed masks to neighbouring towns and villages. Locals are grateful for the masks and also for answers to their medical questions. In and near war zones, information can be scarce.
In the middle of a pandemic, securing food is not only difficult but also a dangerous task for the most vulnerable. The elderly and people with disabilities and chronic diseases are the most susceptible to coronavirus.
The Sheptytskiy Hospital in Lviv, Caritas Ukraine and priests and seminarians distribute food to those in greatest need.
If you are still able, please continue to support CNEWA’s work in Ukraine to help the most vulnerable, especially during this time of crisis.