Tag: Europe

As Russian forces advanced on his town in Ukraine’s heavily contested Donbass region, a group of friends helped to save Igor Gusev’s life. Born with cerebral palsy, Igor has lived independently with some limited support and the companionship of a beloved black cat. His community shunned him, but for the efforts of his few friends. Igor Gusev fled Ukraine after the invasion by Russia and is now living in Poland. As bombing and violence approached his home, Igor’s friends packed him and just a bit of luggage into a car and headed west. While Igor sadly had to leave his…

Lutheran Disaster Response has raised over $ 10 million in support of refugees and internally displaced people in Ukraine and surrounding countries. New partnerships in Eastern Europe include: L’Arche has nearly 60 years of experience supporting people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and knows they are among those most at risk in times of crisis. It is providing immediate relief to refugees with disabilities in Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. Activities will include purchasing accessible vans to transport people with disabilities within Ukraine and along the border, building the capacity of local disability service providers and adaptations for people with…

Situation: On Feb. 24, armed conflict broke out between Russia and Ukraine, causing a humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 2 million people are seeking refuge in neighboring countries, including Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova. There are major humanitarian concerns for both internally displaced people and refugees.        Response: Lutheran Disaster Response is supporting these member churches through Lutheran World Federation: German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in…