Since February 2022, when Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mennonite Central Committee has raised more than $14.4 million for emergency relief.
Of that total, more than $12.5 million has been spent on program costs, locally purchased goods and material resources shipments to support more than 151,000 people.
As of Feb. 23, MCC had shipped 30 containers to Ukraine, including:
— 63,822 comforters;
— 72,000 hygiene kits;
— 25,339 relief kits;
— 123,840 pounds of canned meat.
Through the support of donors and the work of partners in Ukraine, MCC has seen 331,976 meals served to the hungry, 131,406 food packages distributed and 3,810 people provided with temporary shelter.
One of the partners is the Center for Social and Rehabilitation Assistance, based in Zaporizhzhia, just inside the territory controlled by Ukraine. The center provides education, social support and resources for children with mental and physical disabilities.
Without MCC’s support, the center wouldn’t have been able to operate beyond the first few weeks of the invasion, its project coordinator said.
“When the war started, so many of the parents lost their jobs,” she said. “They couldn’t give money to education; they didn’t always have money even for food. We can only pay our teachers and social workers because MCC has increased its giving to us.”
Other MCC partners continue to find ways to create safety and offer relief: New Life Charitable Fund is distributing food and comforters; several partners are providing support to help people deal with the trauma of war; Uman Help Center is providing survival materials, like fuel and food.
“Our partners are doing incredible work in conditions that continue to be difficult, and they still need your support more than ever,” said Bruce Guenther, MCC’s director of disaster response.
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