Dear friends and companions of Malteser International,
"I must warn you that due to possible shelling or other military operations, sending you the documents may be postponed for several days." Messages like these from our colleagues of Malteser Ukraine have become terrible routine these days. Just like kindergarten kids going down to shelter when the air raid alert sounds, just like senior citizens refusing to leave their homes of many years and staying in their cold cellars, just like people being displaced, just like houses and livelyhoods being destroyed – every day, day after day, with no relent.
Today marks the second anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. Already since the start of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine in 2014, the Order of Malta has stood by the side of the Ukrainian people and supported those affected by the war. Pavlo Titko, Head of Malteser Ukraine in Lviv, observes a significant shift in the organization's approach over the past two years. "In 2022, we worked at a completely different pace.", he says. "We rushed to help wherever needed most. Now, after two years of conflict, our approach has evolved into a more strategic, long-term endeavor. What was once a sprint has now become a marathon."
The finish line of this marathon is far from in sight. We are so grateful for your more than generous support during these last two years. Your donations made it possible for us to reach more than 800,000 war affected Ukrainians and spend a light of hope: with costumized winter and hygiene kits, food items, psychosocial support and more. And maybe most importantly, by showing those that have lost everything that we are there for them, and will continue to be so.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please continue to stand with us at the side of the people in Ukraine!
|
|
More about our support for Ukraine:
Read our latest press release
Our countrywide humanitarian aid projects in Ukraine
|