Salesian schools in Ukraine remain open

(MissionNewswire) As winter approaches, Salesians are continuing to help those most in need in Ukraine*. The war has been raging since March 2022 when Russian invaded. Because of the length of the continuing war, many women and children have returned to the country and need support with most basic needs. Youth have started a new school year as well.

According to UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, there are more than 17.6 million people in Ukraine who are in need of emergency aid to survive. As of May 2023, 5.1 million people have been internally displaced in Ukraine and as of July 2023, more than 6.2 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally.

“Salesians will never turn their backs on the people who suffer because of this war, which unfortunately does not stop and continues to harm innocent victims,” explained Father Mykhaylo Chaban, Salesian superior of the Mary Help of Christians Greek-Catholic Rite Vice-Province of Ukraine. “Alarm sirens and bombs continue each day, impacting millions of people who suffer from this war. But Salesians remain steadfast in our mission. These supports and education for children during emergencies is a real life-saving tool. This is why it is important that Salesian schools in Ukraine remain open.”

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid has been supporting children at a school and youth center in Zhytomyr and Lviv. Through this support, almost 300 children have the opportunity to continue going to school and access a safe space where they can learn, play, and feel protected.

In addition to education, Salesians continue to offer humanitarian aid to people who have been displaced. Salesians set up the Mariapolis citadel project in Lviv, where more than 1,000 people live and receive care, food and access to health care. Salesians also continue to travel to eastern cities, such as Novohryhorivka, where they are committed to responding to the needs of the civilian population remaining in their homes.

Father Jozef Nuckowski, a Salesian in Ukraine, said, “We want to bring aid as close as possible to the Russian border, where most villages are devastated, houses are destroyed and people live in overcrowded shelters. There is a lot of need, and thanks to the solidarity that comes to us from all over the world, we can go to these areas and offer food, water and other basic necessities.”

Salesians are already working on preparations for the cold to help people stay warm and have winter provisions. The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid has already allocated 100,000 euros of aid to be sent to alleviate these needs including blankets, heating, warm clothes and more. While the needs are still great, Salesian solidarity will continue until peace arrives in Ukraine and even beyond.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – Ukraine – “We will leave no one behind”: the promise of the Salesians after 19 months of war

Salesian Missions

UNHCR – Ukraine Statistics

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.