The Salvation Army, an international movement, has a long-standing presence in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Because we are already part of the communities in which we serve, we are on the ground and ready to respond and serve immediately in times of need such as this.
“Above all, love.”
— 1 PETER 4:8
In light of the ongoing crisis, The Salvation Army is providing hope, healing, and comfort to displaced and affected families and individuals. We are serving those impacted and displaced by the ongoing crisis with food, shelter, and spiritual care.
Where it is safe to serve, The Salvation Army officers have pivoted programs to provide food, clothes, blankets, and emotional and spiritual care to those who have been displaced from their homes and are seeking refuge.
Salvation Army Locations in Ukraine
Updates from Neighboring Countries
The Salvation Army has been able to send baby formula, diapers, blankets, and clothing to maternal hospitals in Odessa.
Salvation Army officers and staff continue to serve many individuals in churches, offices, and their own homes. Many consider evacuating, but it has become too dangerous to travel. Officers and corps are reported safe and continue to have access to basic needs, however, food is becoming harder to access.
As tens of thousands of refugees pass through the Siret swamp in Romania, The Salvation Army emergency team offers assistance with completing documents for asylum seekers and obtaining biometric ID documents. Refugees are primarily being cared for in camps, with Salvation Army staff providing emergency services. Additionally, the team is working close with police on the border and has helped to avert three girls last week from being trafficked, a major risk as refugees flee across the border.
With increasing numbers of families and individuals crossing the border, The Salvation Army has been working to find accommodations for those displaced refugees. Territorial Headquarters apartments are filled with refugees. This location has become a short-term spot for refugees to get paperwork in order before moving forward to Romania or Poland.
The Salvation Army also works in coordination with the ‘Centre For Refugees Reception’ in the village of Mikhailany in the Ryshkansky district.
A sign at the train station near the border of Poland reads “You are safe here,” as refugees are welcomed into the country. Together with the regional officers and corps officers in Warsaw, International Emergency Services were able to bring much needed supplies to a Warsaw reception center to support affected individuals and families. Partnerships such as this are proving key to meeting human needs.
The Salvation Army in Russia responds to the needs of displaced people by providing food, hygiene, and other relief items. To date there are over 60,000 displaced people in the southern part of Russia.
The local team has been working on a plan of action in preparation for accommodation, material needs, and emotional support for incoming refugees. An emergency response team consisting of representatives from Slovakia and Czech Republic has commenced and will meet on a regular basis to assess how to provide the best support in response to the crisis.
The Czech Republic is already home to some 200,000 Ukrainians and therefore anticipates many refugees who will seek support from family and friends in the area. The Salvation Army has available capacity in the existing social services in the Czech Republic and stand ready to provide support.
The Salvation Army Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory is supporting the Hungary Division in their response with basic relief items and personnel from within the territory. As corps officers in Debrecen and Miskolc mobilize to help at different border posts, an emergency team is also at the border collaborating with Baptist Aid to support incoming refugees with emergency shelter and emotional and spiritual care.
Hungary
Although The Salvation Army’s presences is small, they have been immensely helpful with translation as many in Bulgaria speak Russian.
Hungary
TSA’s social institutions in France are ready to assist as capable and we are in discussion with the French state regarding the management of locations for refugee accommodation (centres, hotels). In Le Havre (western France), we are officially responsible for the social support of Ukrainian refugees, both in the first emergency reception centres and in more permanent accommodation with private individuals or in accommodation made available by them or local authorities (accommodation platform managed by the SOS Association for the Seine Maritime).
Currently it is the government of Spain through the city council of each city plus the Red Cross who are receiving the Ukrainian people in the country and then orienting the places that offer services and aid that are needed to provide shelter, food and containment for the displaced. We, as The Salvation Army, through each corps in the area, have contacted them and offered our resources at their disposal: food, shelter, temporary accommodation for the people. This last service is not available everywhere but in two cities in Spain: Denia and Coruña.