Leading Canadian Catholic agency looks ahead to further Ukraine relief efforts.
Ottawa, February 23, 2023 — One year following the Russian invasion of Ukraine —
which has displaced a third of the nation’s 41 million people, killed, scarred and
wounded tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, and devastated the country’s
infrastructure and economy — CNEWA’s support to its churches and people remains
steadfast.
“This situation that we have seen in Ukraine has been nothing short of painful and tragic
beyond measure,” said Dr. Adriana Bara, National Director of CNEWA Canada.
“Despite the pain and suffering felt by so many people in Ukraine, CNEWA and its
partners on the ground in Ukraine and neighbouring countries have been able to
provide life and light to so many. We’re committed to doing more in 2023 and to seeing
that the people of Ukraine are cared for and supported.”
In the past year, CNEWA has rushed $5.8 million in emergency funds to support
church-led relief initiatives in Ukraine.
Mobilizing its vast network of local charities, Caritas Ukraine, the charitable initiative of
the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has reached more than 2.1 million people alone,
primarily in the form of food and hygienic services, shelter, bedding and provision of
water.
“I am incredibly encouraged by the generosity and prayerful support of so many donors
from coast to coast to coast,” Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall said.
As Chair of the CNEWA Canada Board of Directors, Archbishop Damphousse is
heartened by the compassion and love for neighbour that has been shown to the people
of Ukraine in such impactful ways through sharing of time and financial treasure, as well
as prayer.
CNEWA, in both Canada and the United States, has supported more than 100 specific
relief initiatives in Ukraine — much of it through Caritas, but also through Greek Catholic
and Orthodox eparchies, parishes, seminaries and religious houses, as well as the
Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, including:
- emergency food packages for more than 40,000 people in areas under siege
- care for displaced pensioners near Odesa
- shelter for people with special needs in Sambir-Drohobych
- spiritual and psychological counseling for those displaced to Ternopil
- temporary housing for displaced families from Mariupol in Zaporizhzhia
- medicines and other aid to nine medical facilities, including Lviv’s Sheptytsky
Hospital.
The incredible generosity of Canadians in supporting Ukraine last year did not go
unnoticed by Monsignor Peter Vaccari, President of CNEWA in New York.
“I am grateful to God that donors across the Canadian and American church have come
together in such a powerful way to support the people of Ukraine in their time of need,”
he said. “We hope and pray for continued contributions, as we support those who have
been affected by this tragedy.”
Having worked with the Church in Ukraine previously, CNEWA offices in both Canada
and the United States were uniquely equipped to respond with immediacy to the
escalation of violence by Russian forces.
Learn more about CNEWA’s work in Ukraine by visiting cnewa.ca or following the
organization on Facebook (@CNEWACanada), Twitter (@CnewaC) and Instagram
@cnewacanada.
About CNEWA
An agency of the Holy See, CNEWA works for, through and with Eastern churches
throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe, providing
pastoral and humanitarian support. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA was
incorporated in Canada as a registered charity by Canada Revenue Agency in 2003.
For more information, visit cnewa.ca.
Media interviews and information:
Dalia Esposito
Torchia Communications
(514) 654-2635
dalia@torchiacom.com
St. Columban Parish - since 1829 