On March 28, in Zaporizhia representatives of Maltese Aid Service, who arrived from Ivano-Frankivsk, officially handed over to Caritas Ukraine three field kitchens for use in the buffer zone, and the components for their functioning (fuel products) are provided as part of the Initiative “Pope for Ukraine.”
On March 28, in Zaporizhia representatives of Maltese Aid Service, who arrived from Ivano-Frankivsk, officially handed over to Caritas Ukraine three field kitchens for use in the buffer zone, and the components for their functioning (fuel products) are provided as part of the Initiative “Pope for Ukraine.”
After the official handover of multifunctional field kitchens, the were blessed by Bishop Stepan (Menyok), Donetsk Exarch of the UGCC, auxiliary bishop of the RCC Diocese of Kharkiv and Zaporizhzia, Chairman of the Technical Committee of Initiative “Pope for Ukraine” Bishop Ian Sobilo and Father Andriy Buhvak, Director of Caritas Zaporizhia. Later that day, volunteers of Maltese Relief Service held a briefing on the operation of field kitchens for Caritas personnel, and together prepared the first dinner, inviting the attendees to try themselves to it.
“After the recent challenges in Avdiyivka, when the city was isolated from the power, gas and water supply, thousands of people took to the streets in sub-zero temperatures, and found that they are completely exposed and unsecured. Caritas came up with an idea to create mobile rapid response groups, and for this end our partners from Germany gave us three field kitchens. Caritas mobile groups, responsible for the direction of Mariupol, Kramatorsk and Avdiyivka will be staffed, and after the briefing they will be ready to go,” said Roman Yaruchyk, head of the Maltese Relief Service in Ivano-Frankivsk.
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing that the aid to Ukraine is being reduced. Last year, the UN programs were financed only 20% - many organizations are winding down their activities under such circumstances, especially when it comes to international organizations. Instead, Caritas expands its opportunities for work and we make every effort in order to help the people wherever they need it the most,” said Hryhoriy Seleshchuk, head of the humanitarian projects of Caritas Ukraine. He expressed appreciation to the Initiative “Pope to Ukraine” and the Maltese Relief Service, providing Caritas with an opportunity to deepen and expand the tools for assisting victims of hostilities in eastern Ukraine. “According to various estimates more than 400 thousand people are inhabiting the buffer zone and 70% of them - are elderly people who need the most help, therefore a hot meal for them is a great support and a reminder that they are not forgotten, not abandoned,” said Hryhoriy Seleshchuk.
Commercial cost of the field kitchens, provided by the Maltese Relief Service to Caritas is about 10 thousand euros each. They are equipped in a way they can consume solid fuel, gas and diesel fuel.
According to Fr Andriy Bujhavka, the director of Caritas Zaporizhia, during the day one field kitchen can cook dinner with two courses for 2,000 people. “We are very pleased to have received additional resources to help the needy in the buffer zone, because we understand that a hot lunch may warm not only the body but the soul as well.”