Samaritan’s Purse is providing food and non-food items to suffering families in Ukraine while airlifting medical supplies into the country as fighting rages on. In partnership with churches in Ukraine, we are transporting these urgently needed relief supplies to families suffering in areas impacted by conflict.

• Samaritan’s Purse has served more than 11 million people throughout the first 12 months of this response. We have distributed over 130 million pounds of food within Ukraine in partnership with the local church. Our water systems and newly constructed freshwater wells have provided more than 40 million liters of water to Ukrainians.
• Over 70 Samaritan’s Purse partners have helped 150,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war in 17 countries across Europe. Through European church partners, we are providing for their physical needs while also providing the hope of Christ. More than 7 million refugees from Ukraine have spread across Europe, the United States, Canada, and other countries worldwide. Many millions are also internally displaced due to the conflict.

Samaritan’s Purse Canada is Responding in Europe to the Needs of Ukrainians

During a year of war in Ukraine, Samaritan’s Purse has provided food, water, medical care, shelter materials, and more to over 8 million people.

In the early hours of February 24, 2022, conflict broke out in Ukraine and upended the lives of millions of people. Many were trapped in the middle of the violence. Others fled to an unknown future. Amidst the terrors of war, Samaritan’s Purse deployed. Within 24 hours, we were bringing emergency medical care, food, water, blankets, and hygiene kits—responding across the country in efforts that continue one year later.

We continue bringing relief to Ukrainians whose lives have been torn apart by the conflict. Many people are now surviving the winter in war-damaged homes without basics like heat and electricity. Some, living closer to the fighting, have no steady supply of food, as they live without jobs and often transportation. Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground helping in Jesus’ Name by providing food, water, tarp, plywood, and stoves.

“Millions of Ukrainians are still suffering a year after the conflict began. Their needs are more severe each day as they struggle to have enough food and basic necessities,” said Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham. “Samaritan’s Purse is committed to helping Ukraine. We established a country office there, and our team is working hard to bring relief in Jesus’ Name. Please join me in praying for peace in Ukraine and that the people we are serving will know that God loves them and has not forgotten them in this dark time.”

As our teams responded to the conflict inside Ukraine, another humanitarian crisis rapidly unfolded across Europe as millions of displaced Ukrainians fled over the country’s borders. Working in tandem with the ongoing response inside Ukraine, Samaritan’s Purse moved to serve these refugees in desperate need throughout the continent. This joint response has allowed for focus and resources to continue to be poured into the areas of greatest need inside Ukraine while also making room for additional efforts—through European church partners—to care for vulnerable individuals who have fled.

There are currently more than 8 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe, an estimated 90 percent of whom are women and children. The task is momentous and unique. Refugees fleeing into Europe have primarily not been hosted in large transit centers or camps, as in many other crises. Instead, the church has played a crucial role, housing Ukrainians in church buildings, homes, and Christian camps.

Working with a Network of Church Partners

As in Ukraine, where a network of church partners has been a critical component of our response, European churches have rallied to meet urgent needs. These churches are part of the Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) networks across Europe. Some worked with us during the 2016 Syrian refugee crisis. Others have been involved through Operation Christmas Child or BGEA Festivals in Europe. Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with this rich network of ministries to respond to urgent needs.

Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said, “We are so thankful for our network of churches and Christian partners we work with to deliver the food and other relief supplies to people in the areas that need it most, including dangerous areas close to the front lines.”

Samaritan’s Purse Canada has sent 102 Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members to Ukraine to fill both medical and non-medical roles. Some have been deployed to staff and give leadership to Emergency Field Hospitals. Others are helping to provide medical care in western, southwestern, and central Ukraine. Some DART members are also working to distribute food and non-food relief items.

Willing to serve on a Disaster Assistance Response Team? Christian Medical and Non-Medical Staff Needed.

If you are interested in joining our DART roster to be a part of these types of disaster responses, click here to apply.

Serving More Than 9 Million People

Through our Medical Airlift Program, we have transported more than 750 pallets of medical supplies to more than 115 hospitals throughout Ukraine to assist in resupplying the local, strained health system. We are also training local healthcare professionals in burn care, intensive care unit services, and infection prevention and control. To date, we have provided this training to more than 6,400 individuals.

We’ve also operated Emergency Field Hospitals in Lviv and a recently liberated area of Ukraine. These have since been turned over to the Ministry of Health for continued care of the Ukrainian people. Through these hospitals as well as six emergency outpatient facilities, Samaritan’s Purse staff have treated more than 23,600 patients since the conflict began.

In areas impacted by violence, we have provided over 20 water systems that, together with more than 15 newly constructed freshwater wells, are supplying more than 40 million liters of clean water for suffering families where water and other infrastructure were destroyed. We are also helping to restore homes in Ukraine that have been partially destroyed in the ongoing conflict, allowing locals to return to their communities.

“Ukrainian families are hurting and in desperate need of prayer and support as millions flee for their lives,” said Franklin Graham. “We want to meet the needs of these families in their darkest moments while pointing them to the light and hope of Jesus Christ.”

Responding to the Refugee Crisis

There are currently an estimated 7.28 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe. The task of meeting their needs is momentous and unique. Unlike many other crises, refugees fleeing into Europe have not primarily been hosted in large transit centers or camps. Instead, the Church has played a crucial role by housing Ukrainians in church buildings, homes, and Christian camps. As in Ukraine, where a network of church partners has been a critical component of our response, European churches have also rallied to meet urgent needs. These churches in Ukraine and Europe are part of Samaritan’s Purse International’s network across the continent.

Caring for the Vulnerable

Ninety percent of Ukrainian refugees are women and children. Many do not know the fate of their husbands or fathers. They are left with an uncertain future, vulnerable to exploitation as they deal with trauma. It is these people—the most vulnerable—that Samaritan’s Purse Canada’s partners are reaching. The needs are great. Even so, the Body of Christ, with the support of Samaritan’s Purse Canada, is boldly seeking to respond to the most vulnerable in Jesus’ Name.

Samaritan’s Purse Flights Deliver Ukrainians to Safety

More than 7 million refugees from Ukraine have spread across Europe, the United States, Canada, and other countries worldwide. Under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, the Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 aircraft brought Ukrainian refugees from Katowice, Poland to Toronto, Ontario. From May to July 2022, the plane undertook 10 flights, carrying 264 people to safety. Some of the families are hopeful for a bright future.

Others are anxious about loved ones back home. Still more are filled with disbelief that ‘normal life’ has all but ended. Most are experiencing mixed emotions—great relief and much grief. Samaritan’s Purse is helping these refugees settle into Canadian communities. That includes following up with their host families, connecting them with Ukrainian speakers, and introducing them to local churches where they can find a Christ-centered, caring community. As we do this work, we tell them about Jesus Christ and what it means to have a personal relationship with Him.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, the needs in Europe remain critical. Winter is here. An energy crisis looms. Costs are rising. In the early weeks of the response, we looked primarily at meeting the most urgent, short-term needs. Looking forward, our goals now also include helping Ukrainians thrive for the foreseeable future. For some, this temporary displacement to other countries will become permanent or, at least, lengthy.

The needs now include language acquisition, schooling for children, and livelihood training for women. Overwhelmingly, there is a need for trauma support, psychosocial care, and opportunities to heal from the wounds of war. In November, Samaritan’s Purse hosted a learning exchange for our more than 70 church partners across Europe. They came together to share best practices while also encouraging and praying for one another in the mission that is ahead.

Looking to the Future

Samaritan’s Purse Canada will continue to respond to those devastated by the war. During this time of violence and pain, we are linking arms with the European Church to bring help and hope to Ukrainians who have lost everything. This incredible movement—this power of partnership—will continue to shine the light of the Gospel amidst a time of darkness.

“Ukrainian families are hurting and in desperate need of prayer and support as millions flee for their lives,” said Franklin Graham. “We want to meet the needs of these families in their darkest moments while pointing them to the light and hope of Jesus Christ. Please join me in praying for the people of Ukraine and for this conflict to end quickly.”

Ukraine Crisis Photos 

A crowd gathers for a Samaritan’s Purse food distribution at a local church. With factories closed, people have come to rely on aid. Shelling, missile strikes, and bomb blasts have devastated certain towns and villages in Ukraine. Samaritan’s Purse partners are tarping roofs damaged in the conflict. We’ve distributed more than 9,500 tarps to date. Samaritan’s Purse has operated two different Emergency Field Hospitals since the war began. The Samaritan’s Purse medical team provided top-quality care and a compassionate touch at our Emergency Field Hospital in Lviv. Franklin Graham came to see the Emergency Field Hospital in Lviv in the spring of 2022. Samaritan’s Purse is providing clean, drinkable water for those affected by the conflict. We’ve drilled 20 wells so far in Ukraine. Franklin Graham delivered an Easter message last year from Lviv, an important city in western Ukraine. We’ve given out more than 57,000 solar lights, which include a USB charger. They’re a big help as many Ukrainians have struggled without power for months. Many chose to stay in their hometowns despite the dangers. Samaritan’s Purse stoves offer warmth and a way to heat food and drinks. Our DC-8 has flown 40 missions to airlift relief to Ukraine. Staff members pray over every flight. Medical supplies have been given to more than 100 hospitals. Our second Emergency Field Hospital in Ukraine was established in the fall in a recently liberated area of the country. Elizabeth Groff, who received a shoebox as a child in Ukraine, delivers the 200 millionth Operation Christmas Child gift to Natalya. Franklin Graham speaks with Natalya about the baby doll she received in her very special Operation Christmas Child shoebox. Operation Christmas Child has been sending shoebox gifts to Ukraine for decades.