Pray for Ukraine
Pray for peace in Ukraine and throughout the world.
Three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 6.8 million people have fled abroad to escape the conflict and another 3.6 million people are internally displaced.
Leaving behind their homes, jobs and loved ones, Ukrainians urgently need shelter, food and water. More than 12 million people, or one out of every three Ukrainians, require humanitarian aid.
Life for the people of Ukraine exists under the constant threat of bombardment. Fighting and indiscriminate bombing has killed families and destroyed houses, schools and hospitals. Three years of targeted attacks on public infrastructure have devastated the power grid, and the thousands of Ukrainians living in displacement centres and damaged homes face temperatures that drop to -20C during the harsh winter.
Over 2 million houses have been damaged by the war, and it is mostly older people and people with disabilities who remain near the frontlines in homes with leaking roofs, broken windows and no access to heating.
The impact of the conflict reaches inside families too: the constant attacks, uncertainty and personal loss have caused psychological distress in 63% of households. Domestic violence is also emerging as a hidden epidemic.
How is CAFOD responding?
CAFOD is working through local experts in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, helping those whose lives have been destroyed by the conflict to survive and recover.
Ukraine Appeal update
Your generous contributions to our Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal have helped over 185,000 vulnerable women, men and children access vital aid including food, water, shelter and psychological counselling.
Thanks to you, our local partners are helping people to rebuild their lives after experiencing trauma and losing loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
Since the first days of the invasion, CAFOD's local partner Depaul Ukraine has been assisting those along the hardest-hit frontline areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. They are providing shelter, food, generators, blankets, psychological counselling and medical assistance to those most in need.
“Depaul Ukraine has supported homeless people in Ukraine since 2007, so we know that winter is a dangerous time. Every year, homeless people die in Ukraine due to hyperthermia and frostbite. This year, there will be significantly more homeless people, as well as people whose homes have been damaged during the war. During the winter months, we will continue delivering food, hygiene and medical supplies. Depaul’s large-scale humanitarian response has transported more than 1000 tonnes of food aid, hygiene items and medical equipment into the country.”
CAFOD is also a member of one of the largest aid networks in the world – Caritas Internationalis – and we have responded quickly through the Caritas network to provide shelter, food and safe spaces for families who have lost everything.
The humanitarian professionals and volunteers working on your behalf live locally and are from the communities that you are supporting in Ukraine. Many have been displaced by the war themselves. They understand people’s specific needs: from material aid like food and shelter to legal, medical and psychological support. They know that no two people are the same, just as no two crises are the same.
Thanks to your kind donations and support, we have delivered vital assistance to over 185,000 women, men, children and elderly people since the first months of the conflict. We are part of a Caritas response that has reached over 2.5 million refugees and internally displaced people. By working together, we are making a difference to the lives of those in greatest need.
When the emergency needs of families affected by the Ukraine conflict have been met and international attention turns to other crises, our local partners will be there in the long run to ensure that the communities you are helping can rebuild and heal.
How will my donation help?
More than 12 million people, or one out of every three Ukrainians, are now in need of humanitarian aid. With your help, we can keep supporting the families in greatest need.
Your donation will help local experts in Ukraine to keep providing:
food, water and hygiene items
shelter and clothing
healthcare
safe spaces for children
psychological counselling.
“My prayers are for all the people who remember and support us. It’s so important that people don’t forget about my country, and that they continue to donate, especially with winter approaching. Your donations save lives.”
What else can I do to help?
Hold a church collection
Find resources to guide church collections for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.