Pope renews calls for peace in Ukraine
Two years on and the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. It’s been a punishing conflict with large losses of life on both sides.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said about 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since Russia invaded in February 2023. The United States claims the figure is closer to 70,000.
There have also been 29,731 civilian casualties, including more than 10,000 deaths, while 14.6 million people now require humanitarian assistance. Earlier this week Pope Francis expressed sadness for the deaths, injuries and destruction since Russia launched a full-scale invasion.
Pope Francis said that the war in Ukraine “is not only devastating the region of Europe but unleashing a global wave of fear and hatred.” The pope pleaded “for the recovery of that little bit of humanity that will allow the conditions for a diplomatic solution to be created in the search for a just and lasting peace”.
Caritas Australia has warned humanitarian conditions in the war-torn country remain grave. In Ukraine’s Central and Western regions, many internally displaced people depend on humanitarian aid as they seek to settle in new communities.
About 6.3 million people have fled overseas, with a further 3.7 million displaced within Ukraine. Millions struggle with little access to water, food, health, housing, protection and other essential services.
The Caritas Australia Ukraine Crisis Appeal has supported Caritas partners in Ukraine and Moldova as they help millions of Ukrainians in need, both within Ukraine and overseas in countries like Moldova.
Winter is a particularly difficult time for Ukrainians with plummeting temperatures making life even more hazardous. “In the longer-term the widespread impact of this war on civilians is also creating a legacy of mental and physical trauma that is particularly impactful on the development and wellbeing of children,” said Sally Thomas from Caritas.
Donations to Caritas can be made at: Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Feature image courtesy of ELG 21.
We encourage you to share and use this material on your own website. However, when using materials from Majellan Media’s website, please include the following in your citation: Sourced from www.majellan.media