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A daytime drone strike by Russia destroyed the front of our partner Caritas-Spes Ukraine’s humanitarian support centre in Odesa. Mercifully, no visitors or staff were injured.
Henry Wilson Smith, CAFOD Acting Emergency Programme Manager for Ukraine, said:
“With civilians experiencing the mostly deadly period of the war since 2022, this attack was a stark reminder of the risks humanitarian workers in Ukraine face every day as they deliver services to the most vulnerable.
“We will continue to support our Ukrainian partner agencies in the most difficult circumstances. They provide a lifeline to communities across the country by providing emergency assistance, safe housing, clothing and fuel.”
A spokesperson for Caritas-Spes Ukraine said:
“On 10 October at 18:07, an enemy drone struck a building next to the Caritas-Spes Odesa Safe Space. The blast wave damaged the windows and doors. Fortunately, none of the staff or visitors were injured, as a psychological support session with veterans had ended just seven minutes before the incident, and everyone had already left for home.
“Thanks to the municipal services, the damaged windows and doors have now been temporarily boarded up with chipboard panels. However, the centre requires repair and restoration work.
“For the time being, all group and individual sessions have been suspended until the office is restored and the space is once again safe for beneficiaries.”
During yesterday’s Angelus address, Pope Leo referred to the suffering ‘in tormented Ukraine’.
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield, CAFOD Media Lead
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.
CAFOD is funded mainly by voluntary donations from people in the Catholic community of England and Wales. We also receive funding from fellow Catholic charities and development agencies, the DEC, trusts and foundations, and the UK and other governments.
