December 7-14, 2024

Fastiv, 7.12-14.12.2024

Praised be Jesus Christ!

Yesterday we returned from Pokrovsk where we are helping the administration, which in this very difficult time serves the civilian population. About the situation in Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region, there are about 10,000 people left. Unfortunately, the enemy has advanced and is now three kilometers from the southern end of the city. On December 12, when we were there, the gas was turned off in the city, there is no water, now there is electricity, but in general the situation is getting worse. People are cold in their homes, so we gave them warm clothes, and a large amount of food for animals, because many animals were left homeless, not all who evacuated could take them with them, unfortunately. There are a lot of cats and dogs in the entrances of deserted houses.

Also, people need everything to keep warm now. We will still be looking for benefactors to buy stoves, because we all hope that the city will stand and not be occupied. People are ready to evacuate, but everyone is counting the days, weeks, because they do not want to leave their homes. Anyway, somewhere there is such an understanding that if the situation worsens dramatically, they will be forced to leave. There are fewer roads left to the city, so the situation is quite difficult and tense. My personal impression, I remember Siversk, where there were also a few people left who lived in basements. I do not want the people who live there to suffer the same grief, among those who remain there are many elderly people and for them it can be a very difficult experience.

This week, we closed the requests of our military. We sent them sleeping bags, thermal clothes that we sewed for them, blankets and mattresses. Everything we can we send them to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. In the Kherson region, together with the parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Maksym, we are helping people with drinking water, delivered to the village of Sonyachne. People will be able to come and collect it for themselves in the premises, this will help them with the drinking water that is lacking. The evacuation of people with reduced mobility is ongoing in front-line Kherson together with our Partners and Friends of the NGO Silni Bo Vilni (Strong Because Free), 120 people were evacuated in November alone, and this week another 28 people were saved.

Thank you to the Zupa na Monciaku Foundation for the warm things that went to Pokrovsk, as well as to the House of Hope, located in Korotychy, Kharkiv region. Thank you for helping us and for supporting us, especially Ms. Alexandra Kaminska.

This week we hope to close the collection for thermal underwear, if you can support, please leave a link in the comments. Thank you to everyone who prays and is with us during this difficult time. I wish you good, safe days and nights.

With prayers

Fr. Mykhailo Romaniv OP