As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on, the conflict continues to displace millions and deepen the humanitarian crisis. Yet, amid devastation, Church organizations such as Caritas and Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) remain steadfast in their mission, offering vital assistance to those suffering the most.

A Nation in Crisis: Millions in Need of Urgent Aid

Now entering its third year, the war has left millions of Ukrainians struggling for survival. Over 12.7 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid, while 6.8 million refugees have sought safety in neighboring countries. Within Ukraine, 3.6 million people have been internally displaced, forced to flee their homes with little more than what they could carry.

Exacerbating this crisis is the harsh winter, with temperatures plunging below -20°C. The destruction of more than 60% of Ukraine’s national energy supply has left entire communities without heating, electricity, or clean drinking water. Meanwhile, relentless Russian bombardments continue to hinder humanitarian efforts, making it dangerous and difficult for aid groups to reach those in desperate need of food, shelter, medical care, and clothing.

Caritas: Providing Critical Assistance to the Most Vulnerable

Despite overwhelming challenges, Catholic relief organizations, backed by the Holy See and global humanitarian partners, remain unwavering in their efforts to support Ukraine. Among them is Caritas, a worldwide confederation of Catholic aid agencies.

Since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Caritas’s Ukrainian branches—Caritas Spes and Caritas Ukraine—have been at the forefront of emergency relief efforts. Their mission extends beyond material aid; they provide medical, psychological, and social assistance, with a particular focus on protecting children, the elderly, disabled individuals, and women.

ACN: Over €25 Million Allocated for Humanitarian and Pastoral Support

Another key player in the relief effort is the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). This week, the Pontifical foundation announced that over the past three years, it has allocated more than €25 million to sustain both the Greek Catholic and Latin Catholic Churches in Ukraine.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, ACN has funded nearly 1,000 initiatives, including providing €3.5 million in Mass stipends to support priests in their pastoral mission amid wartime hardships.

A Shift in Focus: From Emergency Aid to Long-Term Spiritual and Pastoral Support

Initially, ACN’s aid efforts prioritized internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring they had shelter, food, and medical care. However, as the war dragged on, local Church leaders emphasized the urgent need for pastoral and spiritual support.

To address this, ACN redirected its focus toward sustaining clergy and religious communities, offering financial support for:
• 1,472 diocesan priests
• 1,380 religious sisters
• 60 religious brothers
• 19 deacons
• 768 seminarians

Additionally, ACN has funded pastoral outreach programs like the “Holidays with God” camps, which provided spiritual enrichment for 7,200 children and young people during school breaks.

Beyond Spiritual Care: Practical Assistance and Reconstruction Efforts

ACN’s aid extends beyond spiritual support. The organization has:
• Established four psycho-spiritual support centers
• Funded the purchase of 58 vehicles for pastoral and humanitarian work
• Converted two vehicles into mobile chapels, allowing clergy to bring religious services to war-torn regions, including Odessa-Simferopol and Eastern Ukraine
• Financed reconstruction projects, such as repairing a Lviv convent and restoring a church tower damaged by missile strikes in Sudova Vyshnya

Faith, Solidarity, and the Global Christian Community’s Role

Bishop Maksym Ryabukha of the Donetsk Exarchate, currently residing in Zaporizhzhia due to the Russian occupation of his region, highlighted the unbearable suffering Ukrainians continue to endure. He expressed deep gratitude to ACN and its donors, acknowledging that without their support, the Church in Ukraine might not have survived.

Similarly, Bishop Stanislav Szyrokoradyuk of Odessa underscored the emotional toll on the Church, particularly the burial of countless war victims—many of them young men, women, and even children. Despite the daily reality of loss and destruction, he emphasized the strength drawn from international solidarity, saying that thanks to global prayers and support, Ukrainians do not feel alone.

A Beacon of Hope in Dark Times

While the war shows no signs of ending, the unyielding commitment of Church organizations like Caritas and ACN continues to provide hope, dignity, and essential support to millions. As Ukraine’s suffering persists, faith and solidarity remain powerful forces, ensuring that even in the darkest times, the light of compassion and resilience shines through.