Caritas under threat in Ukraine amid intensifying conflict
International
Caritas Australia CEO Kirsten has warned that as new conflicts dominate global attention, the war in Ukraine risks becoming a forgotten crisis.
“As violence escalates in other parts of the world, Ukraine is slipping from headlines, but for millions of people the suffering has not stopped,” she said.
Ms Sayer’s alert comes as Caritas Australia expresses deep sorrow and concern following devastating updates from Caritas colleagues in Ukraine, where aid workers and their families are facing escalating danger as attacks intensify.
Recent reports reveal a rapidly deteriorating security situation, particularly in frontline areas including Nikopol, Sloviansk, Bilozerka and Kherson.
In Nikopol, shelling has intensified dramatically with enemy drones targeting civilian areas and residents are largely confined to their homes. On 4 April, a daytime attack on a local market killed five people and injured more than 20 others. Access routes into and out of the city remain under constant fire, severely restricting the delivery of food and humanitarian supplies.
Faced with these conditions, the mission Caritas Spes Ukraine made the hard decision to evacuate staff from Nikopol to protect their lives and the lives of their children.
“It was very hard to decide to leave our home, our work and the people we had grown used to. We hesitated for a long time because we did not want to leave the city and everything that was so dear to us,” a staff member said
Tragically, Caritas Ukraine has also confirmed the death of 11 year old Maksym Veremchuk, the son of a staff member, following a Russian missile strike on Kyiv on 15 April. Maksym was killed by shrapnel after the blast of the missile struck a residential complex.
Ms Sayers said the courage shown by local Caritas teams, even as their own lives are under threat “is extraordinary”.
“They should not have to suffer loss and displacement as they serve their own communities.
“Caritas agencies remain on the ground because the need remains immense. We urge the international community not to turn away and to continue supporting humanitarian assistance that saves lives and upholds human dignity.”
Caritas Australia continues to accompany communities across Ukraine by supporting local partners as they provide emergency shelter, water, food assistance, health and psychosocial support, as well as cash assistance
To support Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/ukraine
