Ukraine Emergency Response
Sep 26, 2022
- Tom Albinson
"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." - Jesus
Because of your generosity, we were able to get another 10.5 kilotons of food assistance to people in Ukraine this month.
An important transport of food assistance is now en route from Kyiv to the embattled Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. Our church partner notes:
"The distribution is not yet completed as the help is aimed at the war zone and these days the front moves there very wildly."
A message was received from the wife of one of the church leaders in a town on the front lines outside of Donetsk. They need our prayers as well as our assistance. I removed some details for security reasons.
"Remember [name], who was sent money for the car and for groceries in [city name]. His city suffers greatly from shelling. Before our arrival, there was shelling at night. High-rise buildings were damaged. There are victims. There are wounded. People need food."
We are also helping people fleeing war zones and those living in centers for internally displaced people. Our partner wrote:
"Another of our activities is directed to help people on the move from the war zones to safety in western Ukraine. We sent about two tons of food to the refugee center in [city name]."
Winter is coming.
People in Ukraine are asking for help to survive the coming winter. Our partner wrote:
"These days we hear from all our partners in Ukraine about a new important need. They ask us to help them stay warm during coming winter. They are without gas and electricity. All that is cut by Russian military. It seems Russians try to mass kill Ukrainians by cold.
I do not have any clue how to help here. Do you have experience with something like this?"
I told him that while we do not have experience with such a situation, we would start by asking our friends in Ukraine for their ideas. We often find that the people who are directly affected by the crisis know what is possible. We can then partner with them.
I also told him that we would pray with them for God's provision. Would you also join us in prayer?
Praying for another $4,000
We presently have about $4,000 to help this critical work continue. The impact would be greater if we can send $8 - 10,000. I plan to initiate another transfer this Friday. Would you pray with me that God would at least double the balance in the Ukraine Emergency Response fund by then?
Please share this opportunity to stand with our friends in Ukraine with others. A summary of the Ukraine Emergency Response and a link to donate can be found at www.IAFR.org/project/ukrainian-emergency-response
IAFR is partnering with a church in Slovakia near the Ukrainian border. They are connected with a large network of churches and Christians within Ukraine. Local churches are risking much to care for their communities during this crisis. It is a privilege to stand with them and support them during this time. They need our prayers.