Emergency aid for people in Ukraine

Caritas Austria's emergency response aims to support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The objective of the campaign is to provide immediate support through the provision of essential goods, such as food, shelter, and medical supplies, as well as psychological support and counseling services. In the previous months and in recognition of the harsh winter conditions in Ukraine, Caritas Austria is also providing winterization support to those in need, including warm clothing, blankets, and heaters.

The emergency response is being carried out in partnership with Caritas Ukraine and Caritas-Spes Ukraine, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of aid to those in need. As of today, Caritas Austria’s emergency response has provided assistance to well over 700,000 individuals, 59 trucks with 500 tons of relief goods for internally displaces people and approx. 100 emergency power generators.

What does this support mean for individuals?

One individual who has benefited from Caritas Austria's emergency aid campaign is Daria (name changed to protect client’s privacy), a 43-year-old woman from eastern Ukraine. Daria’s home was destroyed in the conflict, and she was forced to flee with her two children. Upon arrival at a temporary shelter, Daria received food parcels, consisting of sugar, flour, tea, sunflower oil, butter and canned foods which provided her family with much-needed sustenance. In addition, the family received medical assistance and was able to access psychological support and counseling services to help them cope with the trauma of the conflict. Furthermore, Daria and her children were provided with warm clothing and blankets to help them weather the harsh winter conditions.

Caritas emergency response continues

• We continue our aid in Ukraine wherever possible - even when aid in Ukraine finds the most difficult conditions. Humanitarian aid is continuously adapted to the needs.
• Humanitarian aid in the east of the country is becoming increasingly challenging due to the ongoing shelling and lack of humanitarian corridors. Many of our colleagues and volunteers are risking their lives to help people in need.
• We care for internally displaced people, especially in western Ukraine - for example in Kolomyja, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Volyn, Lviv and Lutsk. IDPs receive important information, food, drinking water and personal hygiene items, psychosocial support, cash and a safe place to sleep, eat and wash.
• Women and children receive important support, for example through Child friendly spaces, where children can participate in sports and recreational activities to cope with psychological stress.
• In towns under attack, emergency drop-in centres have been set up where - if possible - medicine and food are distributed. In hospitals, Caritas supports with hygiene products and food.
• We are taking care of the supply and evacuation of particularly vulnerable groups: Orphans and people with disabilities and serious illnesses are being evacuated, our help in the children's and family centres and in home nursing remains in place - wherever possible.
• We will remain on the ground: It is clear that the need for aid is constantly increasing massively with the acts of war and requires staying power.

Links:

• Info of Caritas Austria support for Ukraine (GER)