Agency works to coordinate relief efforts in Ukraine by Catholic groups

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ROME- When it comes to helping migrants and refugees fleeing conflict, few have the experience of the Geneva-based International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC).

Through a coordinated response in collaboration with bishops’ conferences around the world, the ICMC provides assistance and protection to vulnerable people on the move and advocates for durable solutions for refugees and migrants.

Founded in 1951 by Pope Pius XII, it is currently directed by Monsignor Robert Vitillo, who said Node that the current exodus from Ukraine is arguably the world’s fastest growing migration crisis since World War II.

“I think we can safely say that this is the biggest refugee and displaced person situation in Europe since World War II,” he said. “And that’s an interesting thing because as soon as we were founded, we got involved in helping the many refugees from the war who couldn’t go back to their own country, so we helped them resettle in the Americas, Australia and elsewhere of the world.”

People arrive by ferry at the Isaccea-Orlivka border crossing in Romania on March 9, 2022, after fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. More than 2 million people have fled Ukraine since the Eastern European nation was invaded on February 24. (Credit: Stoyan Nenov/Reuters via CNS.)

“We are trying to share information with bishops’ conferences and help them,” he said. “Our office has appealed for funds from our private donors to ask them to support the work of the church in Ukraine and neighboring countries hosting refugees.”

They have also worked closely with Catholic organizations such as the Jesuit Refugee Service and Caritas to try to ensure the response is coordinated and carried out in a collaborative manner, which ensures that resources are not wasted.

Vitillo also said the ICMC is leading “global advocacy” with the United Nations and the European Union to try to secure ceasefires for humanitarian corridors so people can escape safely, but also for “equitable” policies for welcoming and welcoming refugees.

“We were very happy that the European Parliament established temporary protection directives, so that people coming from Ukraine could be received in these countries and be allowed to stay there even for up to three years if necessary,” he said, noting that the United States had taken a similar route.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the CICM has been gathering information from the Ukrainian bishops’ conference and those from neighboring countries, and has been working with the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Vatican Dicastery for the promotion of integral human development, with the aim of “getting information directly from the first responders, which are often the local churches.

This exchange of information with international agencies aims to ensure collaboration and, more importantly, that they know who to contact “if we have needs that we are not directly involved in”. He gave the example of a number of adoptive American families who were in Ukraine at the start of the war.

“They had all the legal permissions for the children to return to the United States with them, but they had to wait for a mandatory 30-day trial period,” Vitillo said. They contacted him in the hope that he could help them get out of the country.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, acting president of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, gives a blessing to Caritas workers during a visit to meet Ukrainian refugees arriving at Keleti train station in Budapest, Hungary, March 8 2022. (Credit: Courtesy of Magyar Kurir via CNS.)

Some of the institutions for children have moved to a safe area, but they are now trying to see what is the best way to keep these children and their families safe. Many needs “surface” every day, hence the importance of Catholic organizations working in coordination, he said.

Vitillo also pointed out that “there has been enormous destruction in a very short time, not only of infrastructure, but above all of the trauma and suffering of the people”, and welcomed the outpouring of solidarity. The fact that this is a war taking place in Europe leads to many trips because “it’s close to home”, but it is important that this solidarity continues because “we don’t know how long this crisis will last.

On that note, he expressed concern about a single focus mentality, with the international community and the media focusing only on the ongoing war in Ukraine: “We must not forget all these other long-term conflict situations, and the terrible suffering of people around the world. It might be easier for the world’s media to focus on Ukraine, but let’s not forget all those who are still suffering in Syria, Yemen and a long list of humanitarian emergencies.

Reflection on Pope Francis decision to send two cardinals in Ukraine, he argued that this is “a very important step, especially because they are not just going there to have diplomatic contacts, but, as the pope said, to listen to the refugees and their needs”.

Quoting the words of the pontiff after announcing that he would send cardinals Konrad Krajewski and Michel Czerny to the conflict zone, Vitillo underlined that they are there not only to express the closeness of the pope but “that of the whole Christian community. This means that we are all called to do all we can to respond to this situation. It is very important that we pray for peace in this area and God could bring that peace. But then we need to act, perhaps making charitable donations to help those who are the first responders in those countries. »

Follow Inés San Martín on Twitter: @inesanma

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