Ukraine – stock image.
Our Irish Methodist family has been shocked to see the violent
invasion of Ukraine and the heart-breaking plight of its people. We
have been advised by those responding on the ground that financial
support is currently the priority as this enables immediate action
and assistance for refugees.
At time of writing, over £150,000 (€177,000) has been donated
to MCI’s Ukraine Emergency Appeal. Funds raised are being sent
through the United Methodist Church and our World Development
& Relief partner, International Justice Mission UK (IJM).
The United Methodist Church is present in both Ukraine and
Russia and in the surrounding countries, enabling finance to be
distributed through existing networks to where it is needed most.
United Methodist Churches in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and
Romania are engaging in hospitality work for refugees.
With hundreds of people crossing the border on foot every
hour, there are opportunities for traffickers to exploit and abuse
women and children in desperate situations. IJM’s team in Romania
is on the ground working to prevent trafficking and exploitation by
running awareness campaigns, training shelters in how to recognise
the signs of trafficking and co-ordinating safe transport for those
fleeing.
For more information from our partners on the ground and to
donate, please visit irishmethodist.org/Ukraine.
