CNEWA Canada Urges National Response for War in Ukraine

Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada is launching a campaign to raise $600,000 to supply ten hospitals in Ukraine with medical equipment, hygiene products and transportation.

The appeal follows the news in July of a cruise missile striking one of the largest children’s hospitals in Europe, hitting a toxicology department where children undergo dialysis.

“Targeting children and their loved ones was always thought as unthinkable,” stated Anna Dombrovska, CNEWA’s program officer for Ukraine. “Ukrainians want peace and security for themselves and their children. This news was devastating, and we stand ready to support our partners overseas with important funding. We ask Canadians to please help us assist those who have been tragically affected, which sadly, includes countless families and young children.”

“Many Canadians across the country are praying for peace, despite this ongoing tragedy that is showing little sign of ending,” says Dr. Adriana Bara, CNEWA’s national director in Canada. “Peace can only come if nations move away from war and instead embrace dialogue. But while we hope for an end to violence, we must do everything we can to offer the support that Ukrainian citizens need, including the most basic elements of life.”

Since the war began in Ukraine in February of 2022, CNEWA has raised more than $8.5 Million to support those most in need. Through its network of local churches and aid partners on the ground throughout the country, the association has provided food and life-saving assistance for thousands of families in urgent need. In addition, CNEWA is also raising $250,000 to continue providing important funding for healing centres, rehabilitation programs for families in the military, food boxes and soup kitchens, mobile dental clinics and generators for those in urgent need.

"War has two faces — pain and solidarity,” says the Rev. Lyubomyr Yavorskyy, director of the patriarchal foundation Mudra Sprava, who runs a project for the rehabilitation of military families. “We see how people have turned pain into strength, and wounds into resilience. We must always find the strength in ourselves to look into each other's eyes," Father Yavorskyy emphasized.

Canadians who are interested and able to help can make their donation at cnewa.org/ca.