Cáritas report on activities after year of war
THE ORIHUELA-Alicante diocese branch of the charity Cáritas has reported that it has supported a total of 2,769 refugees from Ukraine during the first year since it was invaded.
At the same time it revealed that it has raised a total of €278,175, which is being used for different projects addressing the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine and bordering countries.
These actions are a response to the ‘call for peace promoted by Pope Francis and Caritas Internationalis’.
The charity went on to note that in addition to the eight million people who have been forced to leave the country and the 7M that have been displaced internally, the Russian invasion is ‘contributing to a world economic and humanitarian crisis unprecedented in recent history’, brought on by the ‘dramatic escalation of food insecurity and the rapid rise in prices of essential products’. which are ‘ mainly affecting forgottencrises in the Horn of Africa and Sahel region’.
Specifically, the Orihuela-Alicante diocese Cáritas notes that networking has made it possible to support people at their point of origin, in transit and at their final destination.
The branch notes that its activities to welcome and accompany individuals and families from Ukraine has been a substantial part of its response to the emergency.
Of the 2,769 people it has directly helped to relocate, the majority are women with children and senior citizens.
Among the aid that has been provided, most of it is related to food, clothing and housing. With regard to housing, they have focused on rental aid, supporting the purchase of appliances and equipment, and preparing homes owned by Cáritas or ceded to them due to the emergency.
Another aspect of its work has been helping Ukrainian refugee families to learn the language, and actions related to orientation, job training, developing a work placement plan and pre-employment training workshops.