Date: 24 February 2023
When the war broke out in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, no one could have predicted that the conflict would continue one year later.
The war has claimed at least 40,000 lives, 140,000 buildings have been reduced to rubble, and approximately one-third of Ukrainians have been displaced.
Across the nation today, many of the Church of England’s Cathedrals and churches will hold prayer vigils – some over a 24-hour period – with contributions from Ukrainian refugees, choirs and other members of the community. Cathedrals will be floodlit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and candles will be lit to mark the first-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
You can listen to the stories on the ground on the Diocese of Europe’s YouTube Channel and marvel at the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, our diocese has been working as a partner with the charity Citizens UK to offer accommodation to refugees who are fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine. We were delighted that churches and individuals came forward with offers to host including our former Bishop of Dorking.
Are you considering welcoming refugees?
As we continue to welcome refugees into the country, you may be thinking of offering a place in your home to host one or more Ukrainian(s), if so would you please complete the form to register as a host. Citizens UK can then match your details with Ukrainians hoping to come to this part of the world. Please do read through Homes for Ukraine - Guidance Diocese of Guildford for parishioners if you are considering opening up your home, which includes helpful questions to consider.
You can also sign up to be a Community Sponsor via Sanctuary Foundation or offer to open up your home by registering at Reset Homes for Ukraine.
Are you being drawn to support aid efforts?
If you are finding yourself drawn to supporting the aid efforts, below are some options you could consider either on the ground or locally:
- We can offer support with donations – in money and in kind. Donations of money help the supporting agencies to target their support where it is most needed.
- We can put pressure on the government to lobby MPs, to look at sanctions and ways of peace, to offer ease of access and care for refugees smoothing their way to resettlement.
- We can send support to those countries welcoming large numbers of refugees, e.g. Poland, Romania, and Moldova via recognised refugee agencies.
Trusted organisations already operating in Ukraine and among the refugees are:
A local Cathedral parent with a plan
Daniel Whitehead is the father of a new “prob” (probationary chorister) at Guildford Cathedral. He writes:
"As winter bites and Russian aggression targets the Ukrainian population with ever greater privations and misery it is more important than ever to extend a genuine hand of fellowship to the blameless civilians who are the innocent victims of these callous and relentless acts’."
Having now driven two aid-filled ambulances to Ukraine as part of a Surrey charity’s efforts to ease the suffering in Ukraine. Daniel is now raising funds to send a convoy of aid-filled ambulances to reach Ukraine. If you think you can help, every little helps, please click here.