Helping the Cold and Hungry in Ukraine

Dear Friend,

February marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The people there are suffering greatly. Many are without electricity and heat for long stretches each day; some have no power at all. This year's winter has been brutal—the coldest since the conflict began, with lows below zero as I write this.

Plunged into darkness, many cold and exhausted Ukrainians struggle to survive. Schools in the capital, Kyiv, had to close for weeks in January because they couldn't keep students warm. Some people wake up at 1 a.m. to do their work when the power flips on and then go back to bed when the blackout starts again at 5 a.m.

Throughout the country, Samaritan's Purse is working with our church partners to deliver massive amounts of food and also provide many thousands of daily hot meals. Large tents, which we distributed earlier in the conflict, are still being used as hubs where shivering people—young and old—can go to eat, warm up, and charge their phones. In one city, we support a pastor whose church serves more than 600 meals daily, helping residents, displaced people, and those living on the streets (shown above). He said, "From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply grateful to Samaritan's Purse for everything you have done for us and continue to do. The food you provide is a tremendous help to us in this difficult time."

We've already provided more than 284 million pounds of food in Ukraine, an amount that would fill a line of 18-wheelers stretching 92 miles.

Closer to the frontlines, it can be dangerous to even leave your home. At great risk to themselves, church leaders are delivering food and other critical supplies to senior citizens, people who are disabled, and others unable to flee the fighting. These items are packed in specially marked bags we provide that say "God Loves You" in Ukrainian.

Olena, 73, has lived her whole life in the same village in eastern Ukraine. "It is very hard for me," she says with sadness. Heartbroken when her son was killed, Olena relies on her Christian faith and the food we've given her. "Thank you for not forgetting about us," she said.

Samaritan's Purse is also providing firewood, thermal blankets, and solar lights—which double as phone- charging power banks—to those in need. We've supplied thousands of families with wood-burning stoves. Most important, our teams are distributing copies of God's Word—1.2 million so far—and working with local churches to tell people about the Light of the World, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sofiia lives with her daughter and three grandchildren in a small border village. This is now their fourth winter suffering without stable electricity. After the family received relief from Samaritan's Purse, Sofiia said, "This help is not just about survival. We [now] know we are not alone. Thank you for the warmth and the care."

Samaritan's Purse has provided more than 33 million gallons of clean water since the war began. We've drilled over 50 wells, and local churches continue to bring water to those who can't travel. I heard about one pastor who lives near some of the worst fighting, and he had one of our large water tanks placed inside his vehicle. Previously, he would bring water to those in need, but he was badly injured and his van was recently destroyed. Samaritan's Purse has replaced his van and will also be providing an armored vehicle so he and his church can continue delivering water.

Our mobile medical teams are also active in eastern Ukraine, setting up in small villages or even making home visits to those who cannot get out. We've seen more than 4,400 people since 2024, including Maria. She had heart failure, then pneumonia, and could not walk at one point. "I really thought it was time to prepare for death," she said.

Maria gladly welcomed our medical team to her home. We listened to her questions and provided prescription medication for a month. When the doctor returned, he was pleased to find that Maria had already started walking again. She continues to get stronger and credits our team—and, most important, God's healing hand!

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. A local partner told us there are "more and more people coming to church, coming to God, and stepping onto the path of service together." Our church partners are also reaching boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through Operation Christmas Child. We've been distributing gift-filled shoeboxes in Ukraine for decades and have given out over 2 million boxes since 2022, with more than 400,000 on the way this year. Praise God that we can share the Good News with these children and bring a little joy into their lives during this trying time.

Please remember all of the people who have endured so much during these past four years. Pray for peace and for many to place their faith in Him. Psalm 18:2 tells us: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,
Franklin Graham