The Salesian World Moves to Support Ukraine
(ANS – Rome – March 1, 2022) – Throughout the
Salesian world, there is no counting the number of activities undertaken in
support of the Ukrainian population, victims of the war. Initiatives of prayer
and of sensitization to peace, as well as demonstrations of solidarity, have
sprung up and spread almost spontaneously in all the realities of the Salesian
Family. At the same time, specific campaigns have been launched, especially by
those organizations best prepared to face emergencies, to offer material aid
according to need.
A complete list of what Salesians
around the world are doing is not yet available. But among the reports received
by the ANS, thanks also to the work of the Bureau for the Coordination of
Salesian Mission Offices and the management of emergencies, we can include and
highlight the following for now:
The efforts of the Province of
Lombardy-Emilia Italy to fund the construction of an air-raid shelter for the children
of Lviv. The
campaign is being carried out in collaboration with the Foundation Opera Don
Bosco onlus, of which Fr. Giordano Piccinotti, SDB, is president.
From Spain, the Salesian Mission
Office in Madrid, Misiones Salesianas, has also taken action and has already allocated the first funds to cover basic
needs.
“The Salesians have asked us for
immediate help to guarantee water, long-life food (canned food, rice, polenta,
pasta, baby-food in jars) to the people housed in the shelters. They need
mattresses, beds, sleeping bags, thermal blankets, and sleeping mats, as well
as products for personal hygiene (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers) and
medical supplies such as bandages, adhesive strips, disinfectants, and saline
solutions,” reports Missioni Don Bosco of Turin, which during February
was present in Ukraine with one of its delegations.
The Irish Salesians have also
announced that they have started a collection of basic necessities and funds
for the Ukrainian emergency.
And the same happened in Germany,
where Don Bosco Mission Bonn launched its fundraising campaign.
Last, but not least, the campaign already launched by the Salesian Mission
Office in Warsaw from the very first hours from the outbreak of war.
Also, in the face of the emergency,
the Don Bosco Youth Net, the European network of Salesian youth organizations,
has also been activated, spreading among its partner organizations indications
and guidelines on information and communication, work for the rights and reception
of refugees, and the organization and participation in solidarity, charity, and
peace awareness initiatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment