UKRAINE APPEAL UPDATE Friday 4th March 2022
Dear Friends,
10 days ago, we couldn’t have possibly imagined the scenes of devastation that we are seeing on our screens. No-one could have visualised that 1 million people who lived in Ukraine would be displaced with the situation getting worse daily.
It is in such moments that our attention is drawn to the scripture in Psalm 46; 1, – ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...’ We have the assurance that God is in control of the affairs in our world, however, hopeless the situation appears. Please continue to pray for a peaceful solution to be found to this emerging conflict.
FUNDRAISING
Since we launched the Appeal last weekend, we have raised £30,000. The phones have been ringing non-stop and we, here at ADRA-UK, are moved by your generosity. The needs are great and if the situation worsens, the number of displaced people will continue to rise. Most of these people will be women and children, the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Your continued support would be much appreciated. Donations can be made by visiting adra.org.uk and clicking the banner on the homepage.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT
We have had many enquiries as to how people can practically give support, as well as, or in addition to, making a financial donation. For logistical purposes and geopolitical reasons, it is generally more beneficial to have the funds so that we can purchase much-needed supplies ‘in-country’.
UK
However, there is an outpouring of practical support and our I AM Urban initiative (Domestic Programme) held a meeting with key Community Services personnel this week to discuss how we can have a collaborative approach to supporting displaced people. The team are looking at prepositioning our local community grassroots hubs to support refugees when they arrive in this country. The IAMU team will meet on a weekly basis to pray, prepare, and plan how we, working together as ADRA and the Seventh-day Adventist Church to tackle this issue.
Overseas
Many local community groups want to help and that is admirable. However, the situation in that part of the world is very volatile right now and as an agency we would urge caution. I am currently in meetings with the other offices in Europe and ADRA International and we are closely monitoring the situation on the ground. Our personnel are trained in Emergency Response and have extensive technical expertise.
Once again, thank you for your continued support of ADRA-UK as we support those affected by the Ukraine crisis.
Pastor Bert Smit
CEO – ADRA-UK
ADRA-UK
Stanborough Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9JZ, England Telephone: +44(0)30 30 40 10 17 – Web: www.adra.org.uk Registered charity 1074937 (SCO37726 - IOM1101)
