Samaritan's Purse is working through church partners and local shelters to provide warm winter clothing, hygiene items, food, and other relief for fleeing families.
An elderly couple wearily recounted the story of fleeing their home, feeling that they had just escaped with their lives.
Teams are working in Ukraine, Moldova, and elsewhere the in the region to provide food and supplies to fleeing Ukrainians.
“We ran from the bombs. The first bombs came on our buildings,” the wife recounted. “We just decided to flee to anywhere else that was safe. Anywhere our eyes could see. Our region was bombed the most.”
“We were four days on the road,” the husband added. “But the road was better than being under the bombs. We could not take anything.”
After their long journey to Lviv, the couple learned that Samaritan’s Purse is there providing relief to families who are fleeing heavier fighting elsewhere in Ukraine. We are offering kits of hygiene essentials, winter clothing, and blankets to those fleeing, along with the comfort of God’s love and assurance that His people have not forgotten them.
“We are really grateful. Thank you,” the couple said, as they received the items at a church in Lviv where we are storing supplies for distribution. “We feel that you pray for us. We feel it in our hearts. It’s a really big support. Knowing we are not alone.”
Through the physical aid we are providing Ukrainians, opportunities continue to grow to share the hope of Jesus Christ and remind hurting people that God has not forgotten them.
In addition to our multiple medical treatment locations in various locations around the country, Samaritan’s Purse is working through church partners and partner organizations to help supply Ukrainians with needed items for wherever their journey takes them.
We are providing supplies for distribution in both Ukraine and Moldova. So far, tens of thousands of people have received our supplies, which include hygiene kits, drinking water, food, cooking kits, blankets, winter clothing kits, and other items.
“Thank you so much for the supplies you’ve provided for our ministry to refugees,” said Florea Vasile, a pastor in the Moldovan village of Alexandru Ion Cuza where dozens of refugees have fled.
Many of our partner churches are part of the Operation Christmas Child network in Eastern and Central Europe.
If you are interested in joining our DART roster to be a part of these types of disaster responses, click here to apply.
A Shelter and Refuge
In southern Ukraine, we are helping local churches provide places to stay for families and also for displaced children who are traveling unaccompanied.
Through partner churches and organizations, we are supplying families and shelters with supplies to care for refugees.
“Some of these kids have been through a second war. In 2014 (Crimea conflict), they had to flee, and now it’s happening again,” said Vitaliy Smolin, director of a local organization in the south of the country. “Samaritan’s Purse is a partner helping us care for them. Our heart is to help the children, because that’s where God’s heart is.”
“But I believe in a mighty God. I believe in a sovereign God. And I will glorify him. This is a hard thing for this country and this is a hard thing for me, but I know we will overcome and I know my God will be glorified.”
A volunteer named Stepan, serving with Vitaliy, thanks God for the prayers of God’s people around the world.
“We were in tears because these kids literally didn’t know where to go. Then we got a miracle. Now look at those kids. They’re playing over there. They’re joyful again.”
“This morning I got a message from my friend who said the whole world is praying for you. And this is an answer to prayer.”
