By Andy Baker and Natalie Barentson
Note: Edited to present most up-to-date statistics.
I want to thank you for the trust you have given to Remember the Children in meeting the needs of the Ukrainian people. It’s been one of the busiest weeks for Remember the Children in years. Phone calls have flooded in, varying from faithful partners, organizations seeking help, to refugees needing places to go in Romania. The response, support, and prayers we’ve received from kind people like you has been overwhelming. Thank you for all you’re doing to assist those fleeing from this terrible war.
A lot has happened this week, thanks to you. Here are some of the things you’re supporting in Romania to assist Ukrainian refugees:
There are currently over 600 refugees in the care of Remember the Children. They’ve been placed in churches, vacant homes (including my condo in Romania), and with welcoming families. Your support is providing food, shelter, hygiene products, and other needs.
We’ve established feeding centers at the border of Ukraine, to welcome refugees as they cross the border. Unfortunately, the authorities in the county where we are fixing our meals said we had to start refrigerating. Through your generosity and that of many more friends, we bought a small refrigeration van. I don’t like spending aid money on a vehicle, but we must follow the law.
One of our church partners filled 2 semi-trucks filled with aid, and they were brought to the border where Ukrainian Christians are distributing the supplies to those within the country.
I received a message from one of our “graduates” from House of Hope. She and her husband have located an orphanage and elder home in Ukraine that needs food and supplies. They will be driving into Ukraine to deliver the needed aid and to help as they are able. She told me it was her time to give back. Through your generosity, we will be filling a small truck full of aid for them to deliver to the orphans and elderly in a community in Ukraine. Please pray for her and her husband as they enter the country.
On Friday, some of your donations were used to buy medicine and medical supplies to send back into Ukraine. It is my understanding they were going to the Kyiv region. They were given to trusted individuals that are friends of one of my colleagues. Please know you are caring for those on the front lines as well.
On Thursday, I was on the phone with Young Life balancing calls from California, Ukraine, and Romania trying to get Young Life's ethnic Ukrainian staff to safety. As of 11:30 yesterday morning, they are safe in Romania and their US staff is working on emergency visas to bring them to the United States.
Lastly, we are working with another organization in Romania to receive 66 Ukrainian orphans within the next few days. It is my understanding that after they evacuated the orphanage, the Russians destroyed it. There is war and then there is just unimaginable cruelty. We are so thankful for the opportunity to take care of orphans, the work dear to our heart, in crisis. As they arrive, please say a prayer for us as we manage the logistics. It takes $350 per month to care for one of our Romanian children. This is a $35,000 per month undertaking if this war goes on for long. The ministry we are assisting is helping, but extra help is always needed and welcomed.
Please understand, this is not a short-term crisis. There is a projection that we will be in crisis mode for at least three months, and then we don’t know what to anticipate beyond that. I am sure tent cities will be popping up everywhere. As well, I was informed last night that it is the wealthy Ukrainians in vehicles that have been crossing. In the weeks ahead, those who are without transportation will be walking across. We anticipate some very dirty, hungry, and possibly sick people arriving. Your continued assistance is welcomed and needed. In the border region where we have the most refugees and the most meals to prepare, it is costing us about $1000.00 per day. That is just one location. People continue to be generous but if you could remember us weekly with $25 as this war continues, it would go a long way.
Thank you for being a world changer. You are making a difference through your generosity. Your trust in Remember the Children is valued and appreciated. Please continue to pray with us and give as you can give. The money is being sent as quickly as it arrives.
Food Distribution at the Ukrainian Border
