Baptists dispatch 90 tons of humanitarian aid to Donbas

In the framework of a regular humanitarian project, which started in July, the faithful of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists delivered about 90 tons of cargo to the east of Ukraine. About 20,000 children and adults will be able to receive food and hygiene kits this time. 

In total, according to the press service of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists, over the past three years, residents of Donetsk and Luhansk regions received over 15,000 tons of humanitarian goods.

The Evangelical-Baptist union was able to implement such an assistance project jointly with local churches, associations and partner organizations -- in particular, the European Baptist Federation, the German Bread for Peace (BROT FÜR Die Welt), German Baptist Aid, and Disaster Assistance.

Taking into account the recent cargo of the current month, 170,000 people have already received charitable assistance in Donetsk region and Luhansk region.

The aid is intended for all who are in great need and are on the verge of survival. This applies to residents of the so-called gray zone, a territory controlled by Ukraine. There are settlements where bread is delivered not often than once a week.

Humanitarian projects cover the families with minors, temporary residents, people with disabilities, large families and the elderly.

“Unfortunately, since July 1, 2015, the authorities of the LNR / DNR have banned the transportation of humanitarian goods from Ukraine to the uncontrolled territory, so we definitely regret it. However, we provide aid to the extent we have enough forces, opportunities and resources throughout four years of the military conflict,” says Volodymyr Ivanytskyy, coordinator of the humanitarian projects department at the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists.

To work with humanitarian cargo, the Baptist fellowship has two logistics centers in these two areas. From here, the cargo is distributed to large churches such as Bakhmut, Kostyantynivka, Lysychansk, Mariupol and others. In these churches, the distribution to small and rural churches is carried out. Local servicemen also provide assistance to remote villages and farms where people are in need.

Thus, humanitarian aid is not distributed through social welfare departments or other organizations, but through the local Evangelical Baptist communities. Volunteers from the churches involved in this ministry are often at risk because they work along the entire separation line, where shells and mines explode.

“People not only need food and hygiene kits, heating and medicines. In these areas, premature death from stressful strokes, strokes and heart attacks is widespread. Therefore, the words of support, consolation, encouragement are invaluable help from believers,” the press service of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists notes.