Salesians Accompany War-affected Population

For over 100 days, Salesians have been accompanying war-affected population

(ANS – Kiev – June 9, 2022) - “People fleeing the war are no longer arriving in as large numbers as they were a few weeks ago, and some are even returning to their cities. The war is now concentrated in the east, but we continue to welcome and take care of those who arrive. They need shelter, food, health, and psychological care; we also accompany minors by offering them the opportunity to attend school,” explains a Salesian from Krakow, Poland.

Global Salesian solidarity has contributed to alleviating the Ukrainian emergency with numerous initiatives of all kinds. Now that it is clear that the war will not end soon, a second phase of planning and projects to rebuild homes, hospitals, and schools in Ukraine is already underway.

Still, there is always a need for immediate and urgent help to cope with the emergencies that still directly affect millions of Ukrainian citizens, those still residing in the areas most closely affected by the armed conflict.

Don Bosco’s sons continue to distinguish themselves on this front as well, working for the purchase, transport, and distribution of basic necessities in Ukraine; the provision of housing, furniture, and utensils for refugees received in Salesian facilities; support for the maintenance of the displaced and refugee population; etc.

Among the dozens of Salesians engaged since Feb. 24 in alleviating the suffering of the Ukrainian population, two can be mentioned by way of example: Fr. Oleh Ladnyuk, who has always remained in Dnipro, and Fr. Hryhoriy Shved, director of the Vynnykah community. They visit regularly to accompany and encourage families in Lysychansk, Sewerodoneck, Herson, and Mykolajeh. When people need food or other materials, they bring them.

The two, both of whom belong to the vice province of Greek Catholic Ukraine, represent just some of the latest vectors of worldwide Salesian solidarity, which has involved and continues to involve thousands of people around the world, through communities, works, schools, oratories, parishes, volunteers, benefactors, etc.

Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 15,000 displaced people have passed through Salesian facilities. And more than 5,000 people continue to receive daily assistance in Salesian houses in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

Now more than 100 days after the beginning of the war, and as the world is slowly getting used to this new conflict as well – as it did for Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen, and the countless other forgotten wars still being waged all over the world – it may be useful to revive the appeal that Alexia, a young Ukrainian refugee currently taken in by the Salesians in Krakow, made to Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian mission office of Madrid: “Don’t forget about us. We’re grateful for all the help and prayers, but we left Dnipro two and a half months ago, and we just want it to be over so we can go home. After 100 days of the war in Ukraine, we want to be reunited with our families!”

Her words are the same as those of most refugee women and children. The city of origin and the date of arrival change, but the impossibility of understanding the war and the desire for peace do not.

Van, Cots, Food, Medicine

A Van, Cots, Food, Medicine
Stories and Faces of Hospitality in Massive Salesian Relief Operation

 

(ANS – Kyiv – March 21, 2022) – While the war in Ukraine continues and the world’s attention is on the chances of success of the negotiations, for those who remain in the bomb-torn country, the options to survive largely depend on international solidarity – a front on which the Salesians are always on the front line.

Without lighting and heating for days, sheltered in a cellar, with all the shops closed and able to buy bread only when it was distributed on the street – this was Natalka’s life with her children, aged 5 and 2, before leaving Kharkiv three weeks ago.

“The worst part was the cold for my children because all I could think about was what I was leaving behind – my husband – but most of all what I was gaining, saving their lives.”

They traveled for several days on foot, but also by bus and train until they reached Medyka, the border crossing with Poland. “The worst was the cold and the snow, carrying a baby in my arms, a big backpack, and holding the other child by the hand. It is very unjust what we are suffering,” she says.

Now that she is welcomed by the Salesians, it is not as if everything is resolved. The children are frightened as soon as they hear the sound of a plane and there is always fear for the fate of her husband, whom she calls every day. But Natalka is happy as long as she knows he is fine, and he is consoled by knowing the solidarity that the family receives, “from the Salesians, above all.”

Natalka’s family is certainly not the only one to be welcomed by the Polish Salesians. Overall, the sons of Don Bosco from the 4 Polish Provinces have prepared 1,117 places in Salesian refugee centers throughout Poland, of which 501 are already occupied. They are currently sharing what they have, but maintaining such a large number of refugees is costly, and they will need more and more support.

Despite the threat of war, they also managed to send dozens of humanitarian convoys to Ukraine. They bring medical supplies, food, blankets, generators, and personal hygiene items. The synergy is significant: for example, thanks to a collaboration with the mission office of Bonn, Germany, they managed to purchase 300 cots with as many pillows and bedspreads and 600 sets of bed linen and towels.

Another testimony of effective and efficient Salesian support comes from Zhytomyr, Ukraine, about 80 miles from Kyiv, where the local Salesian house received a new car as a gift on March 16.

Fr. Michal Wocial, a Salesian who works at the Salesian house, had asked for help after the old school bus broke down on one of the various trips to help refugees flee to Poland.

 “It was a priority operation for us,” says Fr. Jacek Zdzieborski, director of the Salesian mission office in Warsaw. “We were quickly able to find a seller of an 8-seat minivan with a large trunk, as was needed. A week later, the vehicle had already been purchased, imported, registered, and insured.”

And they were not long in finding a donor: the purchase was soon financed by Missioni Don Bosco, the Salesian mission office of Turin.

This is one of many examples of fruitful collaboration and God’s providence that we believe guided this enterprise. “It is incredible that in such a short time we were able to obtain a vehicle and complete all the formalities,” comments Fr. Zdzieborski.

The van left for its destination full of gifts, including a power generator, food, medical supplies, and blankets.

Finally, donations in money from all the Salesian and Salesian Family works around the world continue.