A building where a Caritas-Spes employee live was damaged when Russian forces attacked the Sumy region in northern Ukraine on September 12. Source: Caritas Australia.
Energy facilities and civilian infrastructure were targeted in a drone attack.
Following the attacks, large parts of the city of Konotop were left without electricity, gas, and water, essentially losing all vital utilities.
Seven apartment buildings, a private residential house, medical and educational institutions, cars, a garage cooperative, a store, and a bank, were also damaged.
One of the damaged buildings is home to Julia, an employee of Caritas-Spes Konotop, who lived there with her children.
Miraculously, they were not injured by the drone strike, but remain in a state of shock.
Caritas-Spes has made assistance available to Julia and her family.
The Caritas-Spes team in Konotop informed Caritas Australia that they were able to respond quickly and professionally.
“In coordination with local authorities, Caritas-Spes were among the first charitable organisations to set up a table in the city centre to register people for Rapid Multipurpose Cash Assistance. Our team is also providing drinking water to the affected residents,” Caritas-Spes reported.
Caritas Australia’s humanitarian emergencies associate director Melville Fernandez said the “deliberate targeting of infrastructure, as well as ongoing damage to homes, is devastating communities across Ukraine”.
“Families are suddenly left with no shelter or possessions, while their town or city might also be without power, heat or water. That is a very sudden and total loss of resources,” Mr Fernandez said.
“Providing cash assistance and drinking water gives affected people immediate relief as they can procure necessities. Meanwhile, our longer-term planning in the region is focused on helping displaced people find homes and get their children back to school, coupled with psychosocial support for traumatised adults and children.”
Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal supports those displaced in Ukraine and has supported those displaced to bordering countries such as Moldova.
Details: Caritas Australia’s Ukraine Appeal, visit
FULL STORY
Caritas-Spes impacted by attacks in Sumy region of Ukraine (Caritas Australia)
