As war rages in eastern Europe many Canadians are reaching out to help our Ukraine counterparts, people like us whose infrastructure is being blown to bits. Charities are taking up this cause.
Canadian Food Grains Bank Executive Director Andy Harrington, sent a letter urging donations:
“We’re hearing reports that food supplies are running out, infrastructure is being targeted and neighbouring countries are doing their best to provide shelter and food to Ukrainians trying to find refuge.
“In every conflict, it is the civilian population who suffer the most, and conflict is a key reason why the number of people facing hunger in the world today has been rising in recent years.” - Canadian Foodgrains Bank. foodgrainsbank.ca/donate/Ukraine/
The Humanitarian Coalition - 12 Canadian international aid agencies in total - includes the Foodgrains Bank. https://www.humanitariancoalition.ca/ukraine-crisis
“With a combined presence in 150 countries, we are uniquely placed to respond quickly to large-scale disasters or smaller, under-reported disasters.”
This organization points out that the conflict that began in 2014 has uprooted 1.4 million people from their homes and destroyed livelihoods. Landmines dot the landscape and cause a further threat to people on the move. More than 3 million people are in immediate need of humanitarian aid, and the numbers are expected to rise significantly in the coming days.
ERDO is another umbrella organization that includes the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) and other Christian church charities. https://www.erdo.ca/donate-ukraine.
David Wells for the PAOC says, “We are calling on all Canadians to stand with Ukraine in prayer. We believe in a God who changes hearts and can bring about the end to conflict and war.”
He says “sponsored children in Ukraine are currently safe and doing well. The city where they live has been spared from attack. We will continue to connect with our ChildCARE Plus partners in Ukraine…”
“To help us respond quickly to the escalating needs in Ukraine, ERDO is collecting donations. We will be providing 5,000 people in multiple locations across Ukraine with support. Internally displaced families and vulnerable community members will receive emergency packs containing food, medicine and household items like temporary shelters and hygiene supplies. We will be working with 100 local churches in Ukraine to distribute these supply packages.”
Supporting Family & Friends in Ukraine
The Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO) provides a list of resources for the Ukrainian Canadian community, including information about how to connect with and support family in Ukraine. The resource list is being updated regularly and is available here.
To help families and friends keep in touch during this dangerous time, Canadian telephone and communications companies Bell, Rogers (including Fido and chatr) Shaw and Telus will offer free long-distance calls to Ukraine until March 31st, 2022. In addition, Rogers and Telus will waive roaming charges to clients currently in Ukraine during the same period.
