Italian doctors and Pope for Ukraine Committee study medical situation in frontline area
On October 24-30, Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti made another visit to eastern Ukraine. This time he came with a group of doctors from Italy to introduce them to the situation in the health sector in that part of Ukraine, where the fighting is ongoing in adjoining areas.
When traveling, the doctor and Nuncio were accompanied by Bishop John Sobilo, Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Pope for Ukraine initiative and his first deputy Ruslan Lavlynskyy.
“During the visit, the delegation visited Zaporizhia, Mariupol, and passed through the combat zone, Mariyinka, Kurakhovo, Berdyanske. First of all, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti sought to meet people. In every talk with representatives of various humanitarian organizations operating in the east of Ukraine, Archbishop asked about their methods of work and aid to people, how organizations find the needy and determine their needs. Thus, Apostolic Nuncio revealed additional opportunities of targeted implementation of the assistance under the initiative “Pope for Ukraine" through cooperation with humanitarian organizations and use their experience,” Bishop Jan Sobilo shared his impressions of the trip.
Doctors who arrived from Italy specifically to study the situation in hospitals in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv saw the needs that are most urgent today. After the visit to Ukraine they will elaborate the best plan to organize aid for the needy. Their comments and advice on the implementation of humanitarian aid projects in war-affected regions were also of importance to the Technical Committee.
In Zaporizhia, Apostolic Nuncio once again met with members of the “Pope to Ukraine” and blessed them for further work. He asked the Committee to make every effort to help the poorest by the beginning of winter.
It should be noted that the first stage of submitting applications for project funding to assist, support and recover people affected by the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine lasted from September 8 to October 21, 2016, and now the Technical Committee is considering applications from non-profit organizations, religious communities and humanitarian missions.
“Every visit of Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti gives us inspiration and strength to work for the sake of helping people whom hard times befell. Representatives of different Churches and ecclesial communities pin hopes on the mission performed by the Apostolic Nunciature for reconciliation and bringing closer the time in when Christians get closer to each other than ever,” Ian Bishop Sobilo concluded. It was reported by the press service of the Pope for Ukraine Committee to RISU.
