One million people helped in Ukraine by Pope Francis' charity project

Pope Francis' charity project for Ukraine, which began in 2016, has helped nearly a million people in the war-torn country, according to the auxiliary bishop of Lviv.

Bishop Eduard Kava told Vatican News on July 27 that in four years the project has used about 15 million euros (17,5 million dollars) to help around 980.000 people, including the poor, the sick, the elderly and families.

“The Pope for Ukraine” was launched in June 2016, at the request of Francis, to help the victims of conflicts in the Eastern European country.

Kava said the project was winding down and the last program to be completed would be the financing of medical equipment for a hospital under construction.

The bishop said the situation in Ukraine was not as tragic as four or five years ago, but there were still many people who needed the help of the Church, especially the elderly who receive small pensions and those with large families. to take care of.

“Even if the pope's project ends, the Church will continue to provide help and be close to the people,” Kava said. "There is not much money but we will be present and close ..."

During his pontificate, Pope Francis expressed his concern for Ukraine and offered aid to the country, which has seen six years of armed conflict between the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed rebel forces.

After his Angelus prayer on July 26, Pope Francis said he was praying that a new ceasefire agreement reached last week concerning the Donbass region "will finally be put into practice".

Since 2014, more than 20 ceasefires have been declared in the ongoing conflict between the Russian-backed separatist forces and the Ukrainian army that has killed more than 10.000 people.

"As I thank you for this sign of goodwill aimed at restoring the much desired peace in that troubled region, I pray that what has been agreed will finally be put into practice," the pope said.

In 2016, Pope Francis asked Catholic parishes in Europe to collect a special collection for humanitarian support in Ukraine. To the 12 million euros raised, the pope added six million euros of his own charitable aid for the country.

The Pope for Ukraine was set up to help distribute such aid. After the first year, it was run by the Vatican nunciature in Ukraine and the local Church in collaboration with Christian charities and international agencies.

The Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development was the Vatican office in charge of overseeing the project.

In 2019, Fr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary of the ministry, told CNA that Pope Francis “wanted to help combat the humanitarian emergency with prompt help. This is why the money was transferred directly to Ukraine, where a technical committee selected the projects that could best respond to the emergency “.

The priest clarified that “the projects were chosen despite any religious, confessional or ethnic affiliation. All kinds of associations were involved and priority was given to those who were able to access areas of conflict and thus able to respond more quickly. "

Tejado said € 6,7 million was earmarked for aid for those who lack heat and other needs during the winter, and € 2,4 million was earmarked for the repair of medical infrastructure.

More than five million euros were used to provide food and clothing and improve sanitation in conflict areas. More than one million euros have been allocated to programs offering psychological support, especially for children, women and rape victims.

Tejado visited Ukraine with a Vatican delegation in November 2018. He said the situation in Ukraine was difficult.

“The social problems are similar to those in the rest of Europe: static economy, youth unemployment and poverty. This situation is widened by the crisis, ”he said.

He stressed, however, that "despite everything, there are many committed people and many associations that work with and for hope, looking to the future to start over".

"And the bodies and entities of the Church are trying to lend a hand."