"In just seven days we have witnessed the exodus of one million refugees from Ukraine to neighbouring countries," according to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. This is one of the quickest developing and largest refugee crises for a long time. The UN says that so far: Poland has taken in 505,582 refugees, Hungary 139,686, Moldova 97,827, Slovakia 72,200, Romania 51,261, Russia 47,800 and Belarus 357 (figures from 3rd March). It is expected that as many as 4 million refugees will flee the war in Ukraine.

For Moldova to receive almost 100,000 refugees when their population is only 2.6 million people is a very extreme challenge, especially as they are one of the poorest countries in Europe. However, the people of Moldova, and especially the Christians, have excelled in showing hospitality and care.

We will work with our partner in Moldova, Foundation Ancora, to support Ukrainian refugees fleeing to there and to Romania. They are meeting refugees at Opaci, close to the border with Ukraine, and not far from Odesa which is the latest city in Ukraine to be attacked, and ensuring that they get support and shelter. They are working with many churches who have opened their buildings to house families. Some churches are currently housing 100 refugees, while smaller churches are housing up to 30. Foundation Ancora are also working with War Child Holland to provide counselling and support to children who have witnessed the war or experienced trauma.

We are also communicating with other organisations and groups that we have connections to in Moldova and may add other projects to those that these funds can support. The situation remains volatile and fast-changing, so plans may adapt as the crisis continues, but currently, the funds raised will go towards providing food, clothing, accommodation, washing and hygiene items, heating, medicines, telephone cards to contact relatives, and counselling.

Since the pandemic we have been forced to retain gift aid on donations to cover our core costs, but in this situation, we will limit what we retain to 6% of what we receive on donations and gift aid, up to a maximum of £6 on any one single donation,. This enables us to cover our costs in coordinating this support while ensuring that the vast majority of funds go to where they are needed most.