Humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and bordering countries

Churches respond to growing needs as queues and checkpoints at the borders of Ukraine overflow with refugees. 

Churches have responded by hosting refugees, providing food, helping in hospitals, and ringing church bells as a warning when shelling starts.

More than two million people have poured out of Ukraine, and estimates from relief groups show that 18 million people—a third of the country’s population—will need humanitarian assistance. There are reports of Ukrainian refugees forming queues up to 10 kilometres long.

Read: WCC article Churches respond to growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and bordering countries  

Above: 23-year-old mother Paulina closes her eyes for a moment as she and her children spend time in their new temporary home in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, 9 March 2022. Paulina alongside her husband, a new-born baby and two daughters are staying in a house offered as accommodation for incoming refugees by congregants from Nyíregyháza Kertváros. Paulina gave birth to her third child the same day she and her family crossed the border. Having started going into labour while still being on the way, Paulina was rushed from the border crossing to a nearby hospital in Fehérgyarmat in order to give birth. Photo: Albin Hillert/LWF