CNEWA president Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari has approved the immediate distribution of more than $216,000 for emergency aid for Ukrainians in need as follows:
- Sheptytsky Hospital in Lviv, which is treating the wounded.
- The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Patriarchal Curia for its efforts in caring for the displaced and to bolster its cybersecurity infrastructure.
- The Ukrainian Greek Catholic eparchies of Chernivtsi, Kyiv and Sokal-Zhovkva for their care centers receiving the displaced.
- And Caritas Ukraine, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv for the support of their centers for the displaced.
The needs are growing daily, and this is but an initial installment for immediate relief needs, which includes funds for food, medical supplies, clothing and shelter.
Communications with the nuncios in Ukraine and in neighboring countries have been fruitful in prioritizing and determining aid to the local churches. CNEWA is now poised to fund various relief efforts of these local churches, which includes the provision of food, medicine, hygienic kits, clothing and shelter. Partners include the Knights of Columbus, charities of the local Greek Catholic churches in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine, as well as efforts of the Caritas network, especially Caritas Poland, which is holding separate banking accounts for efforts in Ukraine conducted by the two Caritas entities in that country proper.
Long-term needs have yet to be assessed as the theater is very much active with no resolution in sight. However, CNEWA will remain committed to accompanying the local churches in their efforts to meet the needs of all Ukrainians. For those interested in joining CNEWA’s efforts to assist Ukrainians caught in harm’s way, please visit https://cnewa.org/campaigns/ukraine/.