Updated: 2:30pm (AEDT)
Sydney, Australia
“No matter where you live, it has been heartbreaking to see footage of little kids with tears streaming down their faces, who don’t if they will ever see their fathers again.”
World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth, who is en-route to Romania to support refugees fleeing Ukraine, made the comment in a statement in which he expressed his concerns about about the psychological impact the war in Ukraine is having on children who are facing separation from their parents and families, as well as being exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse.
People fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine arrive at a temporary camp in Przemysl, Poland, on 28th February. PICTURE: Reuters/Yara Nardi
Thousands of people have escaped Ukraine following Russia’s invasion on 24th February and aid agencies have warned the number of refugees will number in the millions in what Wordsworth and others have said could be the biggest refugee crisis since World War II.
“For these families and children, it is the start of a long, unbearable journey – once you cross that border, it’s very hard to return,” Wordsworth said in the statement which was released after his departure.
“Global bullies are shattering the lives of children who will now face long-term trauma from hearing bombs dropping around them, watching jets fly past their windows, and having their families torn apart.
“No matter where you live, it has been heartbreaking to see footage of little kids with tears streaming down their faces, who don’t if they will ever see their fathers again.”
World Vision is one of numerous charities and Christian aid organisations in Australia which have launched campaigns to help the people of Ukraine. Thousands of dollars have already been pledged, while the Australian Government has committed $US3 million to NATO’s Trust Fund for Ukraine.
Caritas Australia, the Catholic agency for international aid and development, is working with Caritas Ukraine to provide assistance, including basic food and hygiene kits, clean drinking water, and fuel.
Melville Fernandez, Caritas Australia’s humanitarian emergencies associate director, said in a statement almost three million people are already needing humanitarian assistance in eastern Ukraine, and more than 850,000 have been displaced.
“Now, these numbers will increase dramatically – we’re looking at potentially huge numbers of people forced to flee from their homes and become reliant on humanitarian aid,” Fernandez said.
“Access for humanitarian aid is also a major concern. It’s already hard to reach these areas, and the invasion will only make it harder. Over the years there has been extensive damage to water, gas and electricity infrastructure. We are especially worried about the reports of attacks on water facilities – there is already a water shortage and this will only make things worse.
“The impact that this conflict will have on the population is substantial. Over half of children in eastern Ukraine are currently experiencing child poverty according to UNICEF, and these conditions are only getting worse. Ukraine also has an ageing population that is more likely to stay in dangerous areas and be at risk of shelling, landmines and isolation.”
Another Catholic charity offering support is Aid to the Church in Need which, unlike charities which exist primarily to provide humanitarian and social relief, is a spiritual and pastoral charity which aims to support churches at risk of dying out.
As at Monday, more than $A30,000 of a $A100,000 target has already been raised by the charity for the Ukraine church.
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On Friday, UNICEF Australia Executive Director Catherine M Russell said in a statement the organisation had been “gearing up” in the weeks leading up to the invasion to deal with “a mass displacement of Ukrainians” escaping the conflict.
“The Ukraine Government has estimated that the conflict could force between three and five million people to flee their homes,” Russell said. “UNICEF is deeply concerned that intensifying hostilities in Ukraine pose an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children.”
She said the organisation is working to supply safe water to conflict areas “prepositioning health, hygiene and emergency education supplies as close as possible to communities near the line of contact”.
As well it was working with municipalities to ensure there is immediate help for children and families in need, while it was also supporting mobile teams to provide “psychosocial care to children traumatised by the chronic insecurity”.
Australian Red Cross and Save the Children have also launched appeals. Among services Australian Red Cross plans to provide on the ground through its partners are shelter, health, water and sanitation; aid workers to help local teams; and assistance to maintain family links and locate missing family members. Save the Children will also provide assistance through its overseas partner organisation.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that the country has committed $A70 million to fund lethal defensive weapons for Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition. The move is a shift from its stance last week when the government said it would only fund military technical assistance.
Morrison told reporters the majority of the new weapons funding for Ukraine would be in the lethal category.
“We’re talking missiles, we’re talking ammunition, we’re talking supporting them in their defence of their own homeland in Ukraine and we will be doing that in partnership with NATO.”
He said the weapons would be delivered rapidly, but didn’t disclose how.
Morrison also urged Australian citizens not travel to join Ukraine’s militia in fighting against the Russian military, saying the legal position of foreign civilian combatants was unclear.
“Don’t do it,” he said.
Australia will commit $A35 million in humanitarian support to international organisations assisting Ukrainians with shelter, food, medical care, water and education, he said.
WHERE TO DONATE:
– World Vision’s Ukraine Refugee Appeal at www.worldvision.com.au/global-issues/world-emergencies/ukraine-appeal
– UNICEF Australia at www.unicef.org.au/appeals/ukraine-emergency-appeal
– Australian Red Cross appeal at www.redcross.org.au/ukraine/
– Save the Children at www.savethechildren.org.au/donate/appeals/ukraine-crisis-response
– Caritas Australia at www.caritas.org.au/donate/emergency-appeals/ukraine/
– Aid to the Church in Need at www.aidtochurch.org/ukraine
– With KIRSTY NEEDHAM/Reuters
