San Diego Parishes generously give $660,000

$660,000 was generously donated by San Diego Catholics for the needs of Ukrainian refugees. (Photo taken by Yura Forrat from Pexels.com)

San Diego Catholics have given cheerfully to the needs of Ukrainian refugees with a total of $660,000.

The Southern Cross website reported on June 26 that this amount is what they have contributed so far. The money is to help with the humanitarian issues that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February.

They added that the diocese led the collection earlier this year at churches. They divided it equally between the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Church in Central and Eastern Europe, collected funds, and Catholic Relief Service.

The news revealed that they delivered a total of $202,000 o each cause after the fundraising. Also, $88,000 was sent to each later when more churches gave their proceeds. They added that donors gave $18,000 directly to CRS through the diocesan website link. That donation adds up to $598,000.

Meanwhile, the organization continues asking for donations to assist the estimated eight million Ukrainians who fled to neighboring nations to escape the war. The website said they need houses, food, and other essential needs. The news reported that food supplies and different necessities are scarce in Ukraine.

Pope Francis appealed to the world leaders to start “real negotiations” to stop the Ukraine war on June 5, as posted on the website. He said he renewed his appeal to the national leaders. He pleaded not to destroy humanity.

No Winner

The United Nations News website revealed that the security situation in Ukraine decreased rapidly following the launch of a Russian Federation military offensive on Feb 24. Armed violence increased in at least eight regions.

Moreover, the conflict has triggered a quick and steep increase in the needs of people. The war hindered essential supplies and services, and civilians stayed away from the war. The UN estimates that 12 million individuals in Ukraine would need supplies and protection.

Meanwhile, as posted on the website, more than four million refugees may need protection and help in the neighboring countries in the coming months.

The plan needs $1.1 billion within Ukraine to meet the increased humanitarian needs of more than six million individuals impacted and displaced by military operations over the next three months. The website also added that outside the country, the UN asked for $551 million to assist Ukrainians who went across borders, mainly to Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.

“This war has and will have no winner,” the UN Crisis Coordinator of Ukraine, Amid Awad, said in an interview on the website. He added that they had witnessed for 100 days what was lost: lives, homes, jobs, and prospects.

He added that he called for an immediate humanitarian pause on March 5 in the battle between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The website said that UN aid materials continue to arrive in the country.

More than 100 Days Since Start

June 3, 2022, marks 100 days since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24, the ReliefWeb website revealed. They said that the invasion of Ukraine is abiding by its territorial integrity and the Charter of the United Nations.

More than three million kids had their education suspended. The website said it is likely the whole generation's future hangs in the balance.