CNEWA

Connections With Msgr. Peter: Focus on Ukraine

CNEWA’s projects officer for Ukraine, Anna Dombrovska, was the featured guest on this month’s edition of “Connections With Msgr. Peter” on 14 September.

Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari, CNEWA’s president, hosts the online monthly program. During their conversation, Ms. Dombrovska explained how her responsibility is to remain in “constant contact” with CNEWA’s partners on the ground in Ukraine to determine how best to distribute emergency funds.  

She thanked donors for their generous support of CNEWA’s humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine, totaling more than $5.5 million to date.

“These funds were distributed between more than 77 projects, and in September we will add 10 more projects,” said Ms. Dombrovska, who emigrated to Canada from Ukraine in 2007 and joined CNEWA’s staff in 2017.

“In a usual year in Ukraine we have 20, 30 projects, maybe less. But this year, there is much, much more,” she said.

To rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure from its current state will cost more than $200 billion — a sum that is inconceivable for the Ukrainian government at this time and whose current focus is on defense, she said.

Ms. Dombrovska provided updates on the status of the war, including the recent liberation of Balakliia in eastern Ukraine, and said Ukrainians are already preparing for winter.

“We are getting requests from our partners for winterization, for getting fuel, different types of fuel, including wood,” she said.

Msgr. Vaccari also provided updates on the recent resurgence of war in Ethiopia’s north and said CNEWA is working to bring “some relief” to Ethiopia’s south, suffering from drought. He expects to travel to Ethiopia in November. Argaw Fantu, the director of CNEWA’s regional office in Ethiopia, will be the featured guest for the November livestream.

He reminded viewers of CNEWA’s upcoming fundraising events in New York City: an exhibit of art by female artists concerned with the importance of art in the preservation of culture, 13 October; an exhibit of award-winning photos from CNEWA’s work around the world, 1 November; and an inaugural gala, honoring CNEWA’s chair, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, 13 December.

Msgr. Vaccari began the livestream with a prayer to celebrate the feast of the day, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and asked for prayers for himself and CNEWA team members who will join him on a pastoral visit to Armenia and Georgia, starting 19 September. News from the pastoral visit will be reported on CNEWA’s blog and will be featured in the next installment of “Connections With Msgr. Peter” on 12 October.

“Connections With Msgr. Peter” airs the second Wednesday of each month. The next program is scheduled for 12 October. Sign up for CNEWA’s digital newsletter at cnewa.org for registration information.

For more information on CNEWA’s upcoming events or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the fundraising gala, contact info@cnewa.org.

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