Ukraine Crisis

The LWF member churches in Ukraine and the neighboring countries have supported the people displaced by war since the onset of the crisis, providing accommodation and food, community support, and activities to integrate the families into local communities, schools, and the labor market.

LWF supports their work work through financial support, opportunities for experience and information sharing, and project accompaniment.

Ukraine

LWF supports the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU), contributing to salaries and operational costs, and providing communication equipment.

LWF cooperates with GELCU to set up heating points in Kharkiv.

Poland

LWF supports 16 projects of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP), supporting children in school, providing language classes, administrative support, recreational activities, medical support and others.

LWF in its humanitarian operation works with the ECACP.

Slovakia

LWF supports 34 projects for Ukrainian refugees of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic, ranging from renovations, reconstruction, accommodation, and educational and administrative support.

Romania

LWF supports six projects of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession in Romania providing institutional support, renovations, heating, and winter support.

Czech Republic

LWF supports two projects of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren for reconstruction, leisure activities, and a Ukrainian library for the refugees.

Hungary

LWF supports a project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary providing weekend school and short films creating awareness about refugee experiences.

Estonia

LWF supports a project of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church providing language exchange, household items and school supplies, pastoral care, activities for Ukrainian children, and heating to refugees from Ukraine

The LWF Ukraine program supports communities in the district of Chernihiv, northern Ukraine. The region was temporarily under the control of the Russian Federation military. The retreating army left critical infrastructure destroyed and looted, land mines in public places, and many people were traumatized. There is a need to rehabilitate schools and provide shelter, livelihoods, and psychosocial support, especially to children.

The LWF program also collaborates with the local member church GELCU and the Youth Council of Kharkiv to set up heating points in Kharkiv.

LWF Poland supports refugees through a country program, with a head office in Warsaw and six community centers in around the country. LWF runs these centers with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP), an LWF member church. More information on the LWF Poland page.

In the early days of the war, LWF in collaboration with Polska Akcja Humanitarna (PAH), distributed food and relief goods to refugees crossing into Poland through the borders in Zosin and Dorohuck as well as displaced populations in Volodymir, Obukhiv and Starokonstantynów in Ukraine.

During the month of May, LWF worked to protect refugees at Medkyka border crossing (Ukraine-Poland). In partnership with Humanosh Foundation, LWF conducted information campaigns for 3,500 refugees, and transported over 1,100 refugees from the border to the closest reception center.

LWF is advocating for just peace in Ukraine and calling for a ceasefire.

At a global level, LWF advocates ensuring that the needs and rights of refugees and vulnerable host communities are addressed through policies and practices promoting justice, peace, and dignity for all. This includes engagement with the UN and other international agencies, as well as making heard the voice of local advocacy actions by churches in the region.

Since the start of the war, LWF is organizing global and local prayer initiatives, as well as raising awareness about the need to stand in solidarity with those affected by the war.

Statements

• LWF Council Statement on the War in Ukraine and Other Conflicts
• LWF Statement – Welcome all affected by the war in Ukraine
• Ukraine – Statement from the Lutheran World Federation

Appeals

• ACT Appeal: Emergency response for communities affected by Ukraine conflict (revised Oct 2022)

Photos

• LWF refugee staff in Poland
• LWF work in Ukraine
• Photos from LWF response through member churches
• Photos from LWF response in Poland

In the days following the Russian invasion, LWF launched an emergency appeal and has been fundraising through ACT Alliance and other partners, including UNHCR, and various LWF member churches and congregations. LWF has also set up a Ukraine Crisis Church Response fund through which churches, dioceses, parishes, and Christian institutions can apply for support to local initiatives assisting refugees and host communities.

• ACT Alliance
• All We Can
• Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR)
• CORDAID
• The Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod
• Christian World Service
• Corus International / LWR
• DAA-Austrian
• Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe
• Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland (ECACP)
• Evangelical Church of Brazil
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA)
• Evangelical Lutheran Church Bavaria
• Evangelical Lutheran Church Finland
• ELC Wurttemberg
• Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM)
• German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU)
• German National Committee
• Humanosh Foundation
• Japan Lutheran Church
• Kerk in Actie
• Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
• M Sansanaa
• Neighbor in Need
• Polska Akcja Humanitarna (PAH)
• UMCOR
• UNHCR
• United Church of Canada
• United Church of Christ, USA
• World of Neighbors
• Youth Council of Kharkiv

LWF also received many generous contributions from parishes and individuals around the world. In the name of the people we serve, thank you very much for your support!