(From Michael Cherenkov blog)
Ukraine (MNN) — Bloodshed and controversy continue in the eastern region of Ukraine. Two days of heavy fighting in Krasny Liman resulted in victory for Ukrainian forces. In Donetsk and Luhansk, Russian separatists tightened their grip.
Meanwhile, Russia is claiming they have a refugee crisis. On Thursday, the same day Ukraine’s military recaptured Krasny Liman, Russia’s Prime Minister said at least 4,000 refugees had requested asylum. Ukrainian officials denied the claim.
Christian Aid Mission, your link to indigenous missions, says refugees are actually fleeing in the opposite direction: into central and western Ukraine.
Father’s House, a network of children’s homes operated by an indigenous ministry in Ukraine supported by Christian Aid, is making room for vulnerable children who’ve left the combat zones. Some of these child refugees have come from Crimea, while others hail from the Donetsk region.
“A lot of families had to escape from dangerous areas and go to places where there is no threat to their lives,” the leader of the Father’s House ministry wrote in a recent letter to Christian Aid.
“We have to provide all the basics for the kids. We had no resources to receive that big a number of children, but thanks to God, kind people let us borrow 19 bunk beds with mattresses and pillows. We still have a big need to provide food and other basic services.”
Orphans who were displaced because of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict are finding a new home at Father’s House.
(Image, caption courtesy Christian Aid)
Father’s House was caring for 86 children in its Kiev location. With an additional 40 refugee orphans from eastern Ukraine, the ministry’s costs are skyrocketing.
It costs $5 to feed one child per day. While that amount may sound manageable, multiply it by 40 boys and girls, and the extra cost climbs to an additional $200 per day and $6,000 monthly. There are also requests for another $3,850 to buy a large refrigerator ($1,500), a commercial-size washing machine ($1,350), and commercial-size dryer ($1,000).
Indigenous missionaries are doing their best to provide for the child refugees but are stretched far beyond their available resources. Immediate help is needed.
Click here to help Christian Aid care for child refugees from eastern Ukraine.
Please continue to pray for the Ukraine crisis. Pray for God’s provision and that believers in both Ukraine and Russia will experience true peace through Jesus Christ.
