Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1466490
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 MAY 2022 12 COMMERCIAL THE Pontifical Foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has just approved and is delivering a special aid package for 144 nuns from all the Lat- in rite religious orders carrying out charitable and hospitable work in the Archdiocese of Lviv in Ukraine. This is only one ex- ample of the support that ACN is giving to contribute towards the alleviation of the humani- tarian crisis in that country. One of the Sisters of the Con- gregation of St Joseph in Lviv spoke to ACN about the current situation: "Following Russia's military attack which started on 24th February 2022, millions of refugees left the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine for western Ukraine and abroad in neighbouring countries. All this in just a few weeks. In our monastery in Lviv, the Sisters have set up an interme- diate point where these people can eat, wash themselves and rest during their escape jour- ney. We then arrange trans- port to take families, especially mothers and children, abroad. We are also looking for families in Poland who can take in these refugees, as well as establishing contacts and the possibility of transporting humanitarian aid to them from abroad." In monasteries and convents, people sleep in all possible cor- ners - on beds, and on mattress- es on the floor. They are very grateful for the opportunity of having access to clean water, hot meals, and of getting some sleep. Earlier, some had spent several days in basements or bomb shelters. "In the convents of our Order, we try to help both refugees and local people who find them- selves in a difficult situation due to this war. In one of the towns in Lviv region, the Sisters pre- pared an adequate space for ref- ugees. With the help of local and foreign benefactors, they bought a washing machine, refrigerator, beds, and other necessary appli- ances so that we can cope with the immediate needs of these persons. One of the children currently there is a very sick boy who needs special care and food." The Sisters also receive those who travel to deliver aid from abroad to those in need in Ukraine," said the Sister to ACN. According to figures by UN- HCR, almost four million per- sons have crossed the borders into neighbouring countries, but over six million are thought to be displaced within Ukraine. As the ACN aid package will benefit all the Sisters in the Archdiocese of Lviv, the Pres- ident of the Association of Fe- male Latin rite Catholic con- gregations in Ukraine, wrote to CAN: "In the name of all the Religious Sisters of the Arch- diocese, I express my great gratitude for the help you have provided to us already. In the circumstances, we dare to ask for support once again, to be able to serve and help more people in this difficult time of war in Ukraine." Joining her appeal, the nation- al director of ACN's Malta of- fice, Stephen Axisa, said: "Our office has already sent dona- tions received from benefactors in Malta in the first weeks of this crisis, but the humanitarian emergency that has been cre- ated in just a few weeks on the doorstep of Europe requires an extraordinary effort to collect the necessary funding to help as many people as possible. We have heard testimonies that confirm that what we see daily on television is just the tip of the cruelty that these people are experiencing. On a positive note, ACN has tried-and-test- ed partner organisations – like the Congregation of St Joseph. ACN, in fact, has been working with many of these partners for over 30 years ago - that is since the fall of communism - and therefore knows exactly where and how to deliver aid efficient- ly and immediately." ACN (Malta), as a volun- tary organisation (VO/2227), through Newsbook and Radio 103, is appealing to the Maltese and foreigners living in Malta to support our Ukraine Help Cam- paign through their donations. This is the fastest and most ef- fective way to get what is need- ed to these refugees without any delays," explained Mr Axisa. Further information may be obtained from ACN (Malta) h t t p s : / / w w w . a c n m a l t a . o r g / ukraine/, by calling +356 2148 7818, or via email: admin@acn- malta.org ACN approves aid package for nuns carrying out charitable and hospitable work in Lviv, Ukraine