Increasing and timely delivery of quality humanitarian aid to meet real needs were the main topics of a meeting in the Vatican between Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk and the Head of Caritas International, the largest international charity in the world, whose network includes 162 Catholic organisations.
Together with Caritas Ukraine President Tetiana Stavnychna, Director of the Caritas Religious Mission in Ukraine Viacheslav Hrynyevych, and Ambassador to the Vatican Andriy Yurash, the meeting participants informed the Director of Caritas International about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to the escalation of the war and russia’s terror against the civilian population.
«An increasing number of people in Ukraine require humanitarian and social support, including internally displaced persons and those who have lost their homes. Given that nearly all state budget revenues are allocated to security and defense funding, the social sector relies heavily on international financial assistance. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent,» Olena Kondratiuk noted.
The Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament appealed to the Director of Caritas International to review and increase humanitarian aid, as well as to coordinate European Caritas offices to redistribute budgets in support of Ukraine.
«We are doing everything possible for Ukraine. We continuously assess needs and are actively fundraising to assist Ukrainians during the war,» assured Alistair Dunn.
According to reports, the Caritas mission in Ukraine has established 54 aid centers covering 23 regions and more than 15,000 settlements, including frontline areas. The mission’s work is supported by 100 partners and involves over 600 volunteers.
Since February 2022, aid has been provided to over 1.2 million Ukrainians. More than 5,000 tons of humanitarian cargo have been collected and distributed, including food packages, clothing, water, medicines, and hygiene items. Psychosocial support, shelters, cash assistance, and counseling services are also offered to those in distress.