UKRAINE CRISIS
For such a time as this… God’s people amidst the Ukraine crisis Uel Marrs reflects on the war in Ukraine and outlines the support that PCI’s partners are providing on the ground. www.jobbadni.hu/en
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t is day 18 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as this article is submitted and the Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate strong and determined resistance. That should not be a surprise, given the history of the country and how much its freedom and independence is cherished after having been fought over and subjugated down through the centuries. During the first three decades of communist rule in the early 20th century, as many as eight million Ukrainians died in food shortages and famines that were largely inflicted upon them. During the Second World War another seven million perished due to the raging conflict between the Soviet and the German armies; no other European country suffered more deeply. Now, in regard to the Russian invasion, many find themselves in very vulnerable positions having remained to put up keen resistance, while others have fled westwards, including over 2.5 million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. In response, it has been heartening to see the prompt initiative of many PCI congregations, eager to help in whatever ways they can, not least in giving generously to the Moderator’s Appeal for Ukraine, with an initial amount of £60,000 already sent towards the humanitarian response to refugees in Poland, Moldova and Hungary. This
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Herald April 2022
is being undertaken through PCI’s relief and development partners, Tearfund and Christian Aid, but let’s focus on one of our Church partners – Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (HRCA), the relief and development wing of the Reformed Church in Hungary, through whom funds are also being channelled.
…many find themselves in very vulnerable positions having remained to put up keen resistance, while others have fled westwards… Hungary shares a 100-mile border with Ukraine, and thousands of refugees from the war have been pouring into the country. HRCA’s 50 staff and nearly 2,000 volunteers, including 12 doctors and 80 interpreters, have laboured faithfully and tirelessly, giving of their time, energy and expertise right from the start of the war. They are providing help regardless of the race, gender, religion or political affiliation of those in need. Nonetheless, HRCA faces a mammoth task of coordinating tons of in-kind donations, along with financial contributions from congregations within Hungary, not to mention donations
from partners around the world. Nonperishable foods are being collected at warehouses in Budapest, Debrecen and Gelénes near the border for the purpose of onward distribution. Additionally, they have set up a reception centre in Záhony, a city on the Ukrainian border, that has become the hub for the intervention, as thousands cross the border every day. Aid comes in the form of food, hygiene kits, warm clothing, accommodation, transportation, spiritual support and even toys for the children. One of the biggest shortages is accommodation and a countrywide database of shelter being offered by congregations and church institutions has been created. Humanitarian aid has not only been committed to refugees but extended to those remaining in Ukraine, including the internally displaced who have fled to the west of the country. As the 20th century unfolded, land borders shifted in such a way that there is actually one Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church, a diaspora community, located in Transcarpathia, west Ukraine. Prior to the Russian invasion, the Transcarpathian Church District had about 120,000 members worshipping in 100 congregations. It is the oldest Protestant Church in Ukraine and dates back to the 16th century. Through the decades of the Soviet era this Hungarianspeaking Church endured much suffering.
