Ukraine — One Year Later
On February 24, 2022, the world watched in horror as Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The ongoing offensive has displaced millions of Ukrainians from their homes, with over 8 million people fleeing the country to seek safety across Europe and even further as their own communities fall to violence.
One year later, the violence is still raging on with little end in sight. Those who evacuated Ukraine now find themselves as refugees trying to survive beyond the bags they packed, and in unfamiliar communities where resources are limited.
CWS' Response
Moldova
Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe – a reason why CWS has prioritized partnerships here for 15+ years. The country is the only non-EU country hosting a significant number of refugees, especially when considering its population size.Through our local partnerships in Moldova, CWS has reached over 12,000 refugees and host community members with supplies for daily survival, including food, hygiene, winter, and school supplies, in addition to longer-term support through education, psychosocial, psychological, livelihoods, and medical services, and legal counsel. As needs stretch into the longer term, our focus continues to be supporting the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in this crisis: women, children and Roma refugees.
United States
As a national refugee resettlement agency, CWS has equipped 32 U.S. cities to support roughly 5,000 people who have made the journey from Ukraine to the U.S. The U.S. government has not yet determined a permanent plan for the majority of Ukrainian arrivals, so we are making sure that no one falls through the gaps in the interim. The biggest needs that we’re responding to right now include housing, basic and material assistance, case management, mental health supports, legal services, and preparing host communities and sponsors for welcome.
Oleg's Journey to Help Ukrainian War Refugees in North Carolina
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Latest Stories and Resources
“I Have a Dream of Returning”
The following blog was written by a program participant of CWS’ local Moldovan partner, Healthy City. Healthy City, also known as Zdorovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. My name is Zinaida, I am 71 years old. I am a refugee from Ukraine, from the village of Donetsk, …
Michail Creates his Own Path
Like many Ukrainian children, 16-year-old Michail was forced to grow up too soon when Russia invaded his home in Kherson, Ukraine. Michail, his younger sister and his mom fled to the neighboring country of Moldova, but Michail’s father was forced to remain in Russian-occupied Kherson. In his new home, Michail stepped up and took the role of his mother’s “right …
“Dolce Yana”
After Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, Yana and her family no longer felt safe in their home in Ukraine. She began the journey toward safety with her teenage son and two of his friends. They began by traveling to Ternopil by train. Yana recalls that the train was so packed with people desperately fleeing Ukraine that they were forced …
Faith with Action
One year ago when Russia invaded Ukraine Budulai didn’t hesitate to take action. Budulai is a leader at CWS’ local partner in Moldova, Healthy Cities, which was created several years ago to help the most vulnerable people in the city. Led by his faith, Budulai has spent many years with the organization to spread goodness and support those in need. …
The Invasion of Ukraine and Who You’ve Impacted
One year ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the CWS community joined forces to do our part in supporting Ukrainians. In the last year, so many of you have stepped up to do one of the things that the CWS family does best: surround people who have lost their homes in a big hug of love and support (and supplies, resources, …
A Story of Kindness and Generosity
The kindness and generosity displayed by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace is truly inspiring. For years, they have been a long-term and sustaining partner of Church World Service Jersey City, providing shelter and other resources to clients from around the world during humanitarian crises. Their history of employing immigrants and refugees, as well as running a shelter for …
A Young Man with A Plan
While war may seem to stop or slow down ordinary life, for children affected by it, it may do the opposite. Children affected by war are often forced to speed up their lives and become little adults. Young boys and girls may feel like they have to step up when a parent is deployed or their families experience a loss. …
Bringing Fun and Big Hugs
Just like many kids around the world anticipate the arrival of an ice cream truck, in Moldova, many children look forward to the arrival of the LudoBus! The LudoBus, which means “fun bus” or “play bus” in English, was created by our partner Diaconia to bring education and fun to Moldovan children in rural areas. When thousands of Ukrainians fled …
Language Lessons Open New Doors
Watching your child struggle in school can be heartbreaking and frustrating, especially if you don’t know much about what they are learning. For parents who have had to leave their home country and don’t speak the language of their new home, this challenge can feel impossible. Vitalina, a refugee from Ukraine, came face to face with this struggle when she …
A Safe Home and a Warm Hug
If you had just 20 minutes to pack a small bag and leave the rest behind, possibly for forever, what would you pack? For Natalia, who fled Ukraine earlier this year, the answer to this question was: documents, necessary items for her son, her son’s favorite toy, books and some snacks. The limited belongings Ukrainians like Natalia have fled with …