UOC aid to Donbass estimated at 13 million UAH

Social-humanitarian aid of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to the military, wounded soldiers and aggrieved people in ATO zone in 2016 made up to 12,8 mln UAH, according to the UOC Information and Education Department.

Chairperson of the Synod’s Social and Humanitarian Department protopriest Vladislav Dikhanov informed that people had been delivered the humanitarian aid of 547 tons.

“Of course, the scope of aid is a great deal bigger. Not everybody flaunts their charitable activity, there are a lot who do their acts of mercy secretly,” specified father Vladislav.

He also noted that each Christian is called to serve God through his/her neighbor. “One should not be indifferent in our complicated time. For any grief is our shared grief, any calamity is our common trial. To help those in need is our immediate duty,” underscored the priest.

According to the Social and Humanitarian Department, last year the UOC helped almost 9,4 thousand military men and injured soldiers, having transferred them foodstuffs, clothes and thermal underwear, personal hygiene items, medication etc.

Besides, the assistance was offered to 14 846 destitute residents of the ATO zone, forced migrants as well as families of the Ukrainian military.