For eight months, the Jesuits in Europe, with the support of Jesuit Mission Australia, have been providing emergency assistance, shelter and opportunity to refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

At times like these, we are called upon as a community of faith to stand in solidarity with those whose lives have been turned upside down by war.

Instead of a traditional gift this Christmas, a donation to Jesuit Mission’s Gifts for Change Program can help restore dignity to Ukrainian refugees by supplying essential hygiene kits or providing a family with a temporary home for one month.

“The Jesuits in Europe are not only providing emergency food, shelter, and support for refugees, they are providing platforms for refugees to rebuild their lives. Remarkably, some refugees have since become hired teachers, therapists, or volunteers willing to serve their fellow Ukrainian sisters and brothers,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Thanks to a partnership between Jesuit Mission Australia, the Xavier Network, and Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe, over 42,000 refugees from Ukraine have received support, including emergency shelter, food and essential items, psychosocial support, medical escorts, translation, and accompaniment.

JRS Europe is coordinating the emergency response by mobilising support from offices across Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Macedonia, south east Europe, as well as within Ukraine. This initiative is called One Proposal, a coordinated unified response from the Society of Jesus to the Ukraine crisis.

One Proposal is a three-year project that focuses on five main pillars to assist Ukrainian refugees–welcoming, protecting, promoting, integrating, capacity building, and institutional strengthening.

As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens, Jesuit Mission and its partners overseas continue to collaborate, providing vital accompaniment to those in need.

“We will remain committed to this mission, especially for the reconstruction of the country (Ukraine), we have a long journey ahead of us,” said Fr Alberto Ares SJ, Director of JRS Europe.

A donation to Jesuit Mission’s Gifts for Change Program this Christmas could provide emergency food, shelter, and accompaniment to those in Ukraine and around the world.

Gifts for Change can be purchased online at https://fundraise.jesuitmission.org.au/shop [Zach Martorana/Jesuit Mission]