Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Millions of people made homeless by the war are living in vulnerable conditions, facing the coldest winter in recent times.
Tetiana Stawnychy, Caritas Ukraine President, said:
“In Ukraine, more than 4 million people have lost their homes and need long-term housing solutions because of the war. Initially, we focused on emergency shelter for the displaced. Today, we are working with the government to develop a social housing plan to help people rebuild their lives.”
Caritas International – a worldwide network of Catholic aid agencies – is echoing the Vatican’s call for solidarity from the international community to foster a just, sustainable peace. After his Angelus address this Sunday in Rome, Pope Leo XIV said peace in Ukraine cannot be postponed any longer:
"Let an immediate ceasefire be reached, and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace … every war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family; it leaves in its wake death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations."
UK aid agency CAFOD – part of the Caritas network – launched an emergency appeal for Ukraine shortly after the Russian invasion, and has been supporting local partners on the ground ever since.
Josie O’Reilly, CAFOD Emergency Programme Officer for Ukraine, echoed the need for solidarity and urgent action to bring about a lasting ceasefire:
“The pressure on our local partners has been immense. At the beginning of the war, one soup kitchen served around 60 people per day. There are now over 500 beneficiaries per day.
“We urge the international community to stand with the people of Ukraine now and throughout the challenging process of rebuilding their country.”
Notes to editors
Thanks to donations to the Ukraine appeal, CAFOD has helped to supply:
emergency food for 17,038 people
fuel, winter clothing and bedding for 14,496 people
emergency accommodation for 2,194 who lost their homes
mental health and psychosocial support for 4,776 children and adults.
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield, CAFOD Media Officer
Melissa Nethersole, CAFOD Media Officer
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas Internationalis, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.