War and destruction brings in its wake death and destruction. In March 2014 protests in the Donbass region of South East Ukraine turned to one of armed conflict between the Pro-Russian and Government forces. By the end of 2017 some 10,000 people had been killed, 1.7 million people have been displaced, and 4.4 million people have been affected by the fighting.
During this time ChildAid partners from Kyiv were working hard, initially providing insulin to the children trapped on the pro-Russian side, and then helping over 4000 families learn how to feed themselves – providing both the seeds and the understanding to allow vegetable gardens to be established.
With the invasion in February 2022, much of this activity had to stop, but our partners, Love without Borders, know the fighting must eventually come to an end. When is the question. However the end of hostilities won’t bring about lasting peace and reconciliation without assistance. The work which LWB has already started work on, work ChildAid support, will continue. It is estimated that 80% of children in the region have witnessed horrific violence, incurring both physical and mental scars that will have gone very deep.
In part our new project in Makariv, to the north, will be used to support this initiative, providing safe summer camps well away from the hidden minefields, and a team who can assist with disabilities.
