Black Santa Appeal supports Habitat's response in Ukraine
Habitat for Humanity Ireland
Everyone, everywhere needs a place to call home.
Dean of Belfast to hold Lent Sit-out raising funds for the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
From 12noon to 3.00pm on Wednesday 9th March, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd Stephen Forde, will don his “Black Santa” cloak much earlier in the year than usual, to receive vitally needed donations for the Ukraine Refugee Crisis.
Working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Christian Aid, both promoted by the Church of Ireland’s Bishops’ Appeal, all funds raised through the Dean's Lent Sit-out will be channelled directly to the communities and families in greatest need as a result of the current Ukraine refugee crisis.
Read below a statement from Habitat Ireland's Chief Executive, Jenny Williams, about support from the church community and the Bishop's Appeal:
"We are so thankful for that support which was mobilised by Bishops' Appeal, and for all the support from churches.
When conflict threatens to overwhelm I am drawn to the words of Clarence Jordan, the spiritual father of Habitat who said "It is not enough to limit your love to your own nation, to your own group. You must respond with love even to those outside of it …This concept enables people to live together not as nations, but as the human race." In the pain of war we are praying that God’s peace and presence would be real, and that there would be a welcome wherever refugees need to find safe places to stay.
The numbers of people fleeing from the place they call home is growing by the hour. UNHCR now estimate more than 2 million people have already fled their homes and many more are on the move.
My colleagues on the borders are sharing heartbreaking stories of the women and children arriving with only what they can carry. Our focus is both on supporting people on the move and the longer term shelter needs in host communities.
Immediate needs: heat for camps, as well as temporary beds and emergency basic care kits which include power banks for phones, travel vouchers, some local currency and other essentials.
In Romania many of the refugees will move onto other destinations and we are working in partnership with estate agents and hotel chains to ensure families have a safe place to rest, catch their breath and make plans for what is next.
Our longer focus is already being put into place:
Across the four neighbouring countries Habitat is helping coordinate what we are currently calling ‘Solidarity Shelter’ in partnership with local government and cities to help match and support refugees with shelter in private homes and in empty apartments.
We also expect the scale up our ‘empty spaces’ programme across the region which will require renovation of currently unused spaces, for example, in Poland we already deliver this in unused attic spaces of apartment buildings.
Once funds are transferred, we will send on immediately."
Learn more on our website now.