Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the sorrow, fear, and grief of its people remain profound. Despite the conflict dragging on, humanitarian and spiritual support from the Church continues to provide solace and strength. However, with growing donor fatigue, the need for sustained aid remains critical.

Danielle Vella, head of the Jesuit Refugee Service’s (JRS) International Reconciliation Programme, recently returned from Ukraine, where she accompanied Fr. Christian Marte, an Austrian Jesuit devoted to standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Speaking to Vatican News, she shared a poignant account of the suffering and resilience she witnessed in the western and southwestern regions of Ukraine, including Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Transcarpathia.

Although these regions are considered the safest in Ukraine, the impact of war is inescapable. Bishop Teodor Matsapula of the Greek Catholic Diocese in Transcarpathia captured the prevailing sentiment, saying that as part of the body of Ukraine, they feel the pain of their families and parishes who have died, and funerals for soldiers are held in their churches almost daily.

Vella described the omnipresence of memorials—rows of photographs of fallen soldiers, cemeteries adorned with flowers, keychains, stuffed toys, and images of children and pets. She observed how strange it feels to memorialize a war that is still ongoing.

Grief and loss pervade daily life. Families mourn loved ones killed in battle or missing in action. Many others have fled the country, leaving behind shattered communities. Concern for soldiers dominates conversations, as families grapple with the uncertainty of war.

Beyond grief, fear is widespread. Many men hesitate to go out, fearing conscription into the military. Among the seven million Ukrainian refugees who have fled, a significant number left to avoid military service. This fear has altered everyday life, even making basic tasks like finding workers difficult.

Family separation is another deep wound. A Caritas worker named Marta likened the war’s impact on households to an explosion, explaining that husbands, fathers, and sons have either gone to fight, fled the country, or sought safety elsewhere, leaving women to care for children and the elderly under immense strain.

A young man’s words encapsulate the collective trauma, saying that their lives are divided into before and after February 24, 2022. Everything changed on that day, and now, they no longer know how to live.

The arrival of internally displaced people (IDPs) in relatively safe regions has intensified the crisis. Ukraine is now home to 3.7 million IDPs. In some areas, like Transcarpathia, one in every four residents is displaced—comparable to global refugee hotspots such as Lebanon.

These displaced individuals require immense support, ranging from shelter to psychological care and employment opportunities. The burden on local communities is significant, yet they continue to extend help wherever possible.

In the face of devastation, the Church remains a pillar of strength, offering material, psychological, and spiritual aid. Through initiatives such as the Jesuit-run Space of Hope centre, mothers, wives, and children of soldiers receive vital psychological support. Caritas and JRS provide shelters, soup kitchens, childcare services, and educational programs.

A JRS shelter in Lviv serves as a sanctuary for displaced grandmothers, mothers, and children, allowing them time to recover. Vella explained that they are given time to breathe for as much time as they need.

Despite ongoing humanitarian efforts, concern is mounting over diminishing international aid. Both Caritas and JRS warn of donor fatigue, even as the crisis persists. Vella cautions that the humanitarian crisis will not end when the war does; in fact, it may become even more acute.

Yet, amid the darkness, signs of hope endure. The resilience and faith of the Ukrainian people fuel their determination to rebuild. Vella highlights the work of Fr. Mikhailov, a Ukrainian Jesuit who tirelessly travels the country to offer pastoral care and retreats. She noted that his strongest source of hope is his relationship with Jesus, which gives him the strength to continue his mission.

The story of Ludmilla, a mother at a JRS shelter, is another testament to unyielding hope. Having lost her home to war and her husband to cancer at just 33, she faces the challenge of securing medical care for her son, who requires multiple surgeries. Yet, her resolve remains firm. She said that when someone depends on you, you don’t just give up, and as long as you are alive, it is not the end.

As the war continues, the people of Ukraine long for a just and lasting peace. They dream of rebuilding their country, retaining their resources, and seeing the return of refugees. But they know they cannot achieve this alone.

Vella emphasized that they look to the world to hope with them, to stand in solidarity, and that external support is crucial.

The call is clear: The world must not turn away. As Ukraine fights for its future, ongoing humanitarian and spiritual aid remain essential in alleviating suffering and keeping hope alive.