Ukraine: pain, loss, faith, hope and resistance

Linda Buroni – Vatican News

Daniel Villa, responsible for the International Service for International Refugee Service (SJR), returned from Ukraine, where Father Christian March, the Austrian Jesuit, accompanied deeply in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

He talked with the Vatican news about his journey across the western and southwestern regions of the country, where he presented a testimony for deep suffering and resistance to a nation in the war.

It was characterized by loss and separation

Although the areas that have been visited – LEVIV, Chernivtsi and TransCarPacia – are not in the confrontation line, Daniel confirms that the existence of the war is inevitable.

He says that these areas are the safest, but they are deeply affected. We have funerals of soldiers in our church almost every day. “

He says that everywhere he saw memorial effects: rows of pictures of fallen soldiers and cemeteries overwhelmed by yellow and blue, decorated with flowers and personal memories: key chains, stuffed animals, children’s pictures and pets. “It is very strange to celebrate a war that is still ongoing,” he says.

“All that we met was united in their pain and losses: the loss of loved ones, dead or missing in the fighting; the loss of those who fled the country; and a loss in lives as they knew this and their societies as they know them.”

“Attention to the soldiers is also tangible,” it seems to extend to normal life, as you know, in every conversation, especially among their families. “

He adds that other overwhelming feelings were “sincere gratitude for being alive and coarse, to gratify for those who died for their country, for their freedom, in addition to” great concern about the uncertainty and the future was another general feeling. “

Fear everywhere

Far from the huge pain, there is a general fear. “Men doubt the exit, for fear of recruiting them and sending them to the front,” says Daniel. Of the seven million Ukrainian refugees who left the country, many did this to avoid military service. This fear has turned daily life, even there are basic tasks, such as finding workers. “

The separation of families is another deep wound. “It seems as if a missile used it in every home,” JRS president recalls her meeting with Marta, a Caritas worker who describes the reality. Husbands, parents and children have left – either to fight, flee or find security elsewhere – while women, care for children and the elderly remain, are immersed in uncertainty.

Once again, Daniel, something a young man said he was recorded. He said, “Our life is divided into before and after; Before February 24, 2022.

Cemetery in Ukraine – Credit: Daniel Villa. (JRS) (JRS)

3.7 million internal displays

Of course, local communities in “safe” areas are also affected by the arrival of people from eastern Ukraine, where the war rises.

“There are 3.7 million people of internal displaced people in Ukraine,” says Daniel, noting that in some regions, such as Transcarpatia, “one in four homeless people,” a stunning figure that places “the region at the same level as countries that host the largest number of refugees for the individual in the world, for example, for example,” says Daniel. Of course, there are enormous needs of internal displaced people.

A man and his children reach a displaced internal treatment area. (AFP or licenses) (AFP or licenses)

Church

In the midst of destruction, the church remains a pillar of support, as it provides material, psychological and spiritual assistance. “The church provides people with a strong sense of society, a safe space for prayer, crying and rebuilding,” says Daniel Villa.

He explains that the Jesuits have launched initiatives such as the “Space of Hope”, where mothers, wives and children of soldiers receive psychological support. Cáritas and SJR mastery management, useful dining rooms, nursery services and educational programs.

Villa says: “The SJR shelter in LVIV is a shelter for displaced mothers, mothers and children,” says Villa. “They are given time to breathe while they need it” to restore some stability.

He says: “There are charitable food rooms, nurseries, psychological and social activities for children, and education … Many things are done,” he says.

Donor

However, despite these efforts, interest in low international aid is growing.

“Caritas and SJR representatives warn against the firmness of the donor fatigue, although the needs continue,” explains Villa.

“The humanitarian crisis will not end when the war is in fact, it can be aggravated.”

Hope amid despair

Despite the dark, signs of hope continue. “People themselves are the biggest source of hope,” he notes a villa. “His faith – in God, others and in the future – makes them go.”

He speaks admired by the fixed dedication to Father Mikhailov, the Ukrainian Jesuit “travels across the country” to provide pastoral declines and care.

He says: “His most wonderful source of hope is his relationship with Jesus, and without it, he says, he was not able to go to the foreground, but he does, and discovers that hope gives him strength.”

Hope was also found in people like Ludmilla, a mother who met a villa in the JRS shelter. “She lost her home in the war after she lost her husband due to cancer with only 33 years.” She adds that one of her children needs multiple surgeries, but she is still designed. He told me: “When someone depends on you, you don’t give up without more.” As long as you are alive, it is not the end.

Solidarity screaming

While the war extends, the Ukrainians yearn for peace, which is a fair and lasting peace. “They hope to rebuild Ukraine, and he does not have to give many of their resources, expect people to return, and that the refugees will return,” says Daniel.

But they also know that they cannot do it alone. “They expect the world to have hope with them,” he says. “Let her sympathize. This external support is very important.”