Love Beyond Conflict

While the number of people leaving Ukraine has reduced and many are looking to return home, local Salvation Army centers continue to provide safe places for refugees and displaced persons to find rest and a warm meal. The extended need for support by responders has prompted the implementation of “care for the carers” to ensure officers and volunteers are supported as they continue to serve.

The Salvation Army in Romania is providing referrals, information regarding employment, education for children and supermarket vouchers to refugees. As of April 7th, 3,054 vouchers have been distributed to 1,889 families.

Stories from Romania:

• Video interview of a father and his children account the story of crossing the border to leave Ukraine
• An interview with IES Team Member, Major Mathison
• Newborn and family found new hope in Italy with assistance from The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army continues to provide clothing, food, laundry services, and emotional & spiritual care. In addition to community rooms and an outdoor playground, a classroom program has been created for Russian-speaking children to continue their education.

The local team has been working on a plan of action in preparation for accommodation, material needs, and emotional support for incoming refugees. An emergency response team consisting of representatives from Slovakia and Czech Republic has commenced and will meet on a regular basis to assess how to provide the best support in response to the crisis.

A sign at the train station near the border of Poland reads “You are safe here,” as refugees are welcomed into the country. Together with the regional officers and corps officers in Warsaw, International Emergency Services were able to bring much needed supplies to a Warsaw reception center to support affected individuals and families. Partnerships such as this are proving key to meeting human needs.

The Salvation Army in Russia responds to the needs of displaced people by providing food, hygiene, and other relief items. To date there are over 60,000 displaced people in the southern part of Russia.

The local team has been working on a plan of action in preparation for accommodation, material needs, and emotional support for incoming refugees. An emergency response team consisting of representatives from Slovakia and Czech Republic has commenced and will meet on a regular basis to assess how to provide the best support in response to the crisis.

The Czech Republic is already home to some 200,000 Ukrainians and therefore anticipates many refugees who will seek support from family and friends in the area. The Salvation Army has available capacity in the existing social services in the Czech Republic and stand ready to provide support.

The Salvation Army is providing medical and social service care to Ukrainian refugees being house on a cruise ship in Rotterdam.

The Salvation Army is providing food parcels, hygiene supplies, clothes, blankets and other assistance in Batumi and Tbilisi.

A recently launched project, The Meeting Point, seeks to assist people who have fled the horrendous conflict and aims to provide practical and essential material needs, assistance and advice in order to provide a pathway for meaningful integration.

In Bern, The Salvation Army operates a civil protection facility for 500 people in addition to the existing refugee shelters

Countless volunteers are providing assistance for more than 500,000 refugees that have crossed the border into Hungary.

Lithuania has seen an uptick in Ukrainian families applying for essential items. The Salvation Army in Klaipeda and Vilnius helps with food and hygiene articles, bedding, supermarket vouchers and clothing vouchers for Salvation Army second-hand shop.