Supporting Partners to Meet Refugees’ Short-Term Physical Needs.
As in Ukraine, where a rich network of church partners has been a critical component of our response, historic partnerships with churches and organisations across Europe have also proven invaluable. Others have been involved through Operation Christmas Child or our sister organisation, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Rodion’s Story
Born in 1949, Georgian national Rodion has witnessed conflict throughout his life. Bought up in an orphanage, at age 24 Rodion moved to the Ukrainian town of Donetsk, where he began to raise a family of his own.
In 2014, After decades of peace, conflict struck Donetsk. Rodian, now a grandfather, fled with his extended family to another city within Ukraine to start over once again where he purchased two apartments, one for his granddaughter and one for himself.
Fast forward to February 2022, Rodion is again confronted with the immediate threat of war with the full force of the Russian military mobilising to occupy his city, he remained. When the looting and burning began, he sought to support his neighbours with a makeshift stove on the street, preparing simple meals for the elderly and vulnerable with no access to food. Within weeks, basics like flour and water were non-existent.
When Rodion’s granddaughter’s apartment was destroyed by artillery fire, they knew their time was up. In the ensuing chaos, Rodion was separated from his children for weeks without contact. Losing everything, and with no money to safely flee the country, Rodion and his wife–now in their seventies sought backchannels to leave Ukraine.
We managed to leave through Russia, but it wasn’t that easy. They held us for many hours and did not let us go any further. I couldn’t calm down…Two of my apartments were destroyed, my fate, my life was shattered, and we can’t even leave. Thank God, after some time we managed to come to Poland. We got there and cried with joy that we were just alive.
Rodion – 74
Arriving in Poland as a refugee, with no money and the clothes on his back, friends passed on details of a Samaritan’s Purse partner, Centre of Good Works in Warsaw. For the past five months, together with hundreds of others, Rodion received hot meals, clothing and food baskets to take with him.
Today, Rodion and his family make up over 8 million Ukrainians who have left behind their homes and loved ones, and are scattered across Poland and Europe as refugees. Our office, together with our International counterparts from Germany, UK, Canada and the US continue to support over 250,000 people through over 70 Samaritan’s Purse partners. There are hundreds of facilities, assisting refugees with documentation, language classes, rental accommodation, food, essential, medical assistance and more. As we look to the months ahead, the needs are great. But, through the power of partnerships like these, Samaritan’s Purse will continue to respond to those devastated by the war.
This is a big support for us. I am very touched by the fact that sometimes complete strangers can help so selflessly. This will never be forgotten.
Rodion
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