Ukraine
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the resulting regained independence, Ukraine has been struggling with enormous economic and sociopolitical challenges. Corruption, mismanagement, unemployment and poverty are some of them. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the eastern part of the country has also been in the throes of war. In 2022, the Russian invasion led to widespread destruction. It claimed numerous victims and triggered a massive movement of refugees.
Our involvement in Ukraine has changed over time. In the early 1990s, AVC provided a great deal of humanitarian aid, founded churches and trained pastors. In the meantime, this has developed into largely independent work. But we continue to financially support the training of pastors in our Bible school in Donetsk.
Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022, AVC has been supporting Ukrainians inside and outside their country. We have carried out a few evacuations, but for the most part we have provided people with relief supplies, which we bring directly to Ukraine or to our partners in neighbouring countries who are taking in and caring for refugees. In addition, many refugees were taken in at the AVC centre in Nidda, looked after and placed in private accommodation.
Aid deliveries to Ukraine are now only sporadic. Our focus is now increasingly on supporting churches in western Ukraine that have taken in refugees. In addition, a mission school lasting several weeks is held once a year at the AVC headquarters in Nidda, which trains Ukrainian refugees throughout Europe to plant new churches.
