LEICESTER, United Kingdom – Catholics in the Archdiocese of Liverpool sent its latest shipment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine Tuesday, including medical supplies, toiletries, crutches, Zimmer frames, blankets and blow-up mattresses, intended to help victims of the ongoing war triggered by a Russian invasion.
The archdiocese reports the aid has been purchased using financial donations from a #Liverpool4Ukraine appeal with support from Greenmount Projects, The Brick, Chorley & District Ukraine Support group and the supply chain of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.
“This will be our sixth trip to the border to deliver goods for those in Ukraine. For every trip, we have adapted our processes based on our previous experiences,” said Martin Miller, chief operating officer at the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
“For this journey, we are using a 12-ton vehicle for the first time which will enable us to take even more donations for those who need it the most. The appeal would not be possible without the continued support of our archdiocese, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped or donated since we started #Liverpool4Ukraine in early 2022,” he said.
The goods will be received by Bishop Gregory Komar, auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian diocese of Sambir-Drohobych, who will distribute them across the Lviv region of western Ukraine.
Komar has a close association with the Archdiocese of Liverpool, having visited archdiocesan offices in August to thank everyone who had supported the appeal.
“I came here to thank the people of Liverpool who have helped so much. Life in Ukraine has changed – many people have lost relatives, lost jobs, lost homes, and many have had to leave Ukraine. If we didn’t get the help we’ve received we don’t know where we’d be – it would certainly be much worse,” the Ukrainian bishop said.
Sales of generators exploded in Ukraine toward the end of summer. Some who can afford it have invested in solar panels. Others, have been purchasing candles, batteries, flashlights, and portable lanterns and stocking up on compact gas canisters, making the most of discounted prices.
Last winter was declared the most challenging in the history of Ukraine’s energy system, with over 1,200 missiles and drones fired by Russians at power plants, according to Ukrainian state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo.
The strikes impacted almost a half of Ukraine’s energy capacity. People were forced to endure hours without electricity and water during the coldest months in what Ukrainian officials described as “energy terror.”
Millions of people across Ukraine had to learn to work, live, and cover their basic needs without relying on electricity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has committed to substantially enhancing air defense systems, which Ukrainian officials say have already have demonstrated greater effectiveness than the previous year.
“Everyone must play their part in defensive efforts to ensure that Russian aggression does not halt Ukraine this winter. Just as on the battlefield, in all areas, we must be resilient and strong,” Zelenskyy said in a recent address to the nation.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal recently announced that the United States has allocated $522 million for energy equipment and the protection of Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Article includes information from Associated Press.
