Two examples of this long war and its consequences for the population are the bombings in Lviv, in the west of the country, and in Novohryhorivka, in the east. In both cases, the emergency intervention of Salesian missionaries has become fundamental for the population affected by the bombings.
A month and a half ago, in the early hours of 6 July, an alarm sounded in Lviv announcing the danger of a Russian attack with missiles and drones. Several loud explosions rang out across the city, in what has been considered one of the heaviest attacks on western Ukraine's civilian infrastructure since the start of the war. The Salesians of Don Bosco who work here have mobilised to help the most needy, left without anything and in need of comfort.
The Russian attack on Lviv damaged about 35 buildings and 50 apartments were declared uninhabitable. Residents left homeless and without anything are provided with temporary accommodation in residences or camps for displaced persons and, where possible, in other accommodation. Forty-eight people were injured and more than a dozen died in the attack. The Salesians responded immediately to the emergency and helped the people who had rushed out of their homes, with no possibility of returning. Those left homeless are temporarily housed on the IDP campus located in Stryjskyj Public Park. Salesian missionaries distributed some hygiene products and organised a canteen where displaced people go to eat every day.
"The Sons of Don Bosco never back down and continually try to be in solidarity with their people, martyred and suffering because of this war, which unfortunately does not stop and continues to cause many innocent victims", says Fr Mykhaylo Chaban, Salesian Superior of the Mary Help of Christians Greek-Catholic Rite Vice-Province of Ukraine (UKR).
At the other end of the country, in the eastern part, is Novohryhorivka, a village still in grave danger, the victim of a relentless war that has already thrown almost 18 million people across the country into desperate need of humanitarian aid. Here too comes the structured and effective help and comfort of the Salesian missionaries, who also in this circumstance have decided to remain close to the needy despite the fact that their lives are persistently in danger.
“I call everyone who comes to us, angels” says Olena, one of the many residents of Novohryhorivka whose home and lifestyle have been destroyed. “It's only with the help of these volunteers that we can survive.” Fr Józef Nuckowski, a Ukrainian Salesian who works in Bibrka, in western Ukraine, is one of these angels. Although Bibrka is about a 13-hour drive away, Nuckowski leads relief expeditions to Novohryhorivka, delivering food and basic necessities to give support and human and spiritual support to people like Olena.
"We want to bring aid as close as possible to the Russian border, where most villages are destroyed, homes have been burned and people live in overcrowded shelters. "They are in great need of help" explains Fr. Nuckowski "and thanks to the solidarity of the Salesians from all over the world we are able to obtain and distribute this aid."
sIn total, 66 Salesian organisations from five continents have supported more than a hundred projects throughout Ukraine and others are in the pipeline, because aid will continue until peace comes to Ukraine.
Source: Misiones Salesianas
