In a world fraught with political debate, action by government often dawdles in meeting individuals’ needs, especially in minute-to-minute issues like armed conflicts. According to the United Nations, more than 6.3 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, many without belongings or resources.(1) As governments have deliberated on the proper method of assisting the shattered nation, individuals and organizations, including young people, have sought means of lessening the suffering of victims.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across Europe, including in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Sweden, have been utilizing the Church’s experience in providing relief during disasters to address the needs of Ukrainian refugees since the earliest days of the conflict.(2)The Church has massive resources in place to address humanitarian needs throughout the world, collaborates with other reputable organizations, and has been involved in responses to, among other situations, devastating Hurricane Katrina, the 1985 Ethiopian famine, earthquakes in Haiti, and the COVID-19 pandemic.(3)
RaeAnn Jarvis lives with her family in Warsaw, Poland. They host a refugee family from Kyiv who fled Russian advancements. Said Jarvis, “At first, it was just a matter of making sure [the family was] fed and sheltered and helping out as much as we could, but over time it’s turned into something more — a genuine love and concern for [them].”
The response to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has been tremendous, involving hundreds of congregations throughout Europe. A system was created amongst congregations along the 1200-mile Ukrainian border to organize effectively and address varying needs. Nineteen and twenty-year-old missionaries met and oriented refugees fleeing Ukraine at a Berlin train station. Youth collected sixty bags of clothing for distribution to refugees in Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Young missionaries in Poland distributed dozens of suitcases to refugees carrying their belongings in shopping bags. Youth have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their congregations, and, in many cases, homes.(4) Even young people from as far away as Twin Falls, Idaho helped pack 20,219 lbs. of supplies and resources to ship to Ukrainian refugees.(5)
These events merely represent snapshots of youths’ involvement in responding to the needs of Ukrainian refugees. Only the passage of time will be capable of capturing the true impact and magnitude of their efforts.
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1 UNHCR. “Ukraine Refugee Crisis: Aid, Statistics and News | USA for UNHCR.” Unrefugees.org, 2023, www.unrefugees.org/emergencies/ukraine/.
2 Richards, Mary. “Aid to Ukrainians in a Year of Conflict: How the Church and Its Members Worldwide Have Helped.” Church News, 24 Feb. 2023.
3 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through LDS Charities, the Church Does Humanitarian Work around the World. 24 May 2011.
4 Rappleye, Christine . “How Latter-Day Saints in Poland Are Serving during the Ukraine Conflict.” Church News, 27 May 2022.
5 Richards, Mary. “Twin Falls, Idaho, Humanitarian Drive Benefits Ukraine.” Church News, 6 Dec. 2022.
