{"id":18409,"date":"2022-03-11T16:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-11T16:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=18409"},"modified":"2022-03-11T22:17:49","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T22:17:49","slug":"first-round-of-grant-money-for-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2022\/first-round-of-grant-money-for-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren Disaster Ministries distributes first round of grant money for Ukraine crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Sharon Billings Franz\u00e9n<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a massive displacement of people both inside Ukraine and across the borders into neighboring countries. As of March 11, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that more than 1.85 million are displaced within the country, with an additional 12.65 million directly affected by the conflict. It reports that more than 2.5 million refugees have crossed Ukraine\u2019s land borders. That number is increasing daily with an estimate that up to 4 million will eventually flee the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to this crisis will be a massive, multi-year effort.<\/strong> Brethren Disaster Ministries is working with partners to determine the best avenues of support, including immediate assistance as well as a longer-term response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An initial Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) grant of $10,000 has been given to CORUS International–an organization that includes long-time partners IMA World Health and Lutheran World Relief–to provide assistance to refugees and send assistance to Ukraine through partners already on the ground. Additional partners are likely to include organizations such as Church World Service, ACT Alliance, and European Baptist relief agencies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Refugees from Ukraine on the Ukraine-Slovakia border. Photo by Jana \u010cavojsk\u00e1, courtesy of Integra<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for caring and supporting this effort!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donate to the Church of the Brethren response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and neighboring countries by giving online at www.brethren.org\/give-ukraine-crisis<\/a> or by sending a check to Emergency Disaster Fund, 1451 Dundee Ave, Elgin, Il 60120, with \u201cUkraine Crisis\u201d in the memo line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Sharon Billings Franz\u00e9n is the office manager for Brethren Disaster Ministries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World Council of Churches (WCC) today (March 11) published an article titled \u201cChurches Respond to Growing Humanitarian Needs in Ukraine and Bordering Countries\u201d about how churches in the area are responding as the war continues. Go to www.oikoumene.org\/news\/churches-respond-to-growing-humanitarian-needs-in-ukraine-and-bordering-countries<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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