Home away from home – The Salvation Army’s constant support to Ukrainian refugees in Eastern Europe
Being forced to flee your country is one of the worst experiences that one may face in life. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, 43 million people across the world find themselves in this terrifying situation (UNHCR). More than six million of those people are refugees from Ukraine who have settled in Europe (UNHCR data portal). The Salvation Army is supporting Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Greece, the UK, Hungary, Slovakia and Latvia.
Meeting changing needs
In the first days of the Russia-Ukraine war, officers in the Salvation Army’s Eastern Europe Territory received an overwhelming number of requests for help. Systems for registering refugees and distributing aid had to be developed quickly and refined. The emergency response included distributing meals and drinks, providing transport and offering temporary shelter. Captain Eduard Lebedev, Regional Commander in the Bulgaria Division, reflects: ‘Throughout the entire time from the beginning of the war, The Salvation Army did not slow down and did not stop supporting people. Our aid not only covered needs but saved people, mothers who simply fell into despair being suicidal.’
After two and a half years of war the territory has different problems to tackle: local governments are less financially involved in supporting rent expenses of refugees, school supplies are needed for children living abroad, psychological counselling is still required for refugees suffering from war trauma or stress while adapting to a new place. As well as practical support, the territory provides psychosocial support, pastoral care and awareness campaigns to make sure that refugees know about the risks of human trafficking.
A Salvation Army project in Poland
Supporting the most vulnerable
The elderly, children and other vulnerable people face many additional challenges when crossing borders. The UNHCR reports that 92 per cent of older refugees struggle to meet their basic needs, with most relying on pensions from Ukraine or social protection in their host country (UNHCR).
In Poland, The Salvation Army runs several projects directed specifically to the elderly, women and youth. Vera, a senior person from Kharkiv, faced daily attacks on her home in the first months of the war. With friends and family scattered around the world, she decided to move to Poland on her own. ‘The Salvation Army helped me to stay alive in the dark times of my life,’ says Vera. When government support to help refugees cover the cost of rent ended in July, Vera needed to look for cheaper, shared accommodation. ‘I am very grateful to The Salvation Army who provided me with food packages, clothes and prayers,’ she says.
Treating beneficiaries with dignity
The Salvation Army’s humanitarian response focuses on people’s individual needs, treating beneficiaries with dignity. Supermarket vouchers are an important part of the response in many countries. This form of aid gives refugees the dignity of choice, allowing them to select products that meet their individual needs. Overall, The Salvation Army’s Eastern Europe Territory has distributed more than 400,000 vouchers across the five countries it works in.
Distributing supermarket vouchers in Poland
Children’s well-being
Children account for 40 per cent of all forcibly displaced people worldwide (UNHCR). The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe is working to support children in many ways. Captain Lebedev points out the impact of the organisation: ‘The Army has responded and is responding to needs at critical times. This is a time when people literally had nothing to eat, mothers had no money to buy school supplies for their children. The school kits that The Salvation Army has been distributing cover 90 per cent of the essential needs. The beneficiaries often repeat the phrase, “If it weren’t for you, we simply couldn’t cope”.’
One after-school project for Ukrainian children in Georgia has been running for two years. Children benefit from extra lessons, nutritious meals and a safe environment while their parents are at work. During school breaks the focus is on winter and summer camps with visits to museums and theatres.
In addition to dedicated provision, refugee children are also welcomed into existing Salvation Army programmes. Artiom Porojniuc, Project Administrator in the Moldova Division, says, ‘Children from Ukraine have been accepted into the ranks of scouts and frequently attend youth, adolescent and scout camps. The children also participate in a theatre production competition.’
Young people take part in games at a youth camp in Bulgaria
Until the end
Despite many challenges, Salvation Army people in Eastern Europe have continued to put their trust in God. The exceptional generosity of the worldwide Salvation Army and many private donors has facilitated more than 100 short- and long-term projects. Collaboration with other non-governmental organisations and the support of volunteers from different churches has made even more possible. Bringing people together, both physically and digitally, united against hardship and having strong faith in God, can only result in enormous positive outcomes.
Reflecting on The Salvation Army’s work, Captain Lebedev adds, ‘The work done over two years is unique, extremely necessary because it concerns the lives of people who find themselves not only in flight, but also in despair, betrayal and hopelessness. That's why we're here and want to be until the end.’
Tags: Europe, Emergencies, Ukraine-Russia conflict 2022, News