WASHINGTON — Parishes across the United States, including in the San Diego and Imperial counties region, will take up a special collection to benefit those affected by the war in Ukraine in the next two or three weeks, at the request of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In addition, various Catholic agencies are collecting donations to aid with the humanitarian crisis there, as people flee to escape Russian bombing and shelling.
According to Catholic Relief Services, one of the agencies providing assistance, there are already more than 2.9 million people in need of help. There is great risk of additional suffering both within Ukraine and for those who may flee to neighboring countries for safety.
CRS and Caritas partners on the ground are preparing across Ukraine and in bordering countries, ready to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel to keep warm, transport to safe areas, counseling support and more.
Here are some places to donate:
The international Caritas confederation is collecting funds to help Caritas Ukraine. In the United States, that is through Catholic Relief Services. Internationally, you can donate through https://www.caritas.org/.
The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia also has a link: https://ukrarcheparchy.us/donate.
Two pontifical agencies also are taking donations for Ukraine: Catholic Near East Welfare Association, https://cnewa.org/campaigns/ukraine/, and Aid to the Church in Need, https://www.churchinneed.org/. Internationally, Aid to the Church can be reached at https://bit.ly/3vfqCn4.
The Knights of Columbus launched the Ukraine Solidarity Fund, and donations can be made at kofc.org/secure/en/donate/ukraine.html. On Feb. 25, the Knights of Columbus announced a commitment of $1 million for immediate distribution to support Ukrainian refugees and will match all funds raised up to an additional $500,000. The relief funding will be used to provide shelter, food, medical supplies, clothing and religious goods, as well as other humanitarian needs as identified, both directly in Ukraine and through refugee sites in Poland.
Donations can also be made to Jesuit Refugee Service at www.jrsusa.org to support the agency’s work in Europe “to accompany, serve, and advocate for those forced to flee from war and conflict.”
The Salesians also are accepting donations to help refugees: https://salesianmissions.org/lp/ukraine-emergency/.
