On February 24th, Russia shamelessly invaded Ukraine and started a full scale, unprovoked, illegal war on our native land bombing our cities, hospitals, schools, kindergartens…That same day our Canadian-Ukrainian Community gathered together in front of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to protest unlawful, unjustified war against Ukraine, let everyone know what has happened and support our families and friends back in Ukraine. We talked, we prayed, we sang, we cried…

 

More than 6 million Ukrainians have fled their country and another 8 mln have been displaced out of their homes within Ukraine. They did not choose to leave their homes. It was not their choice to leave behind their fathers, husbands, uncles, sons. They did not want to leave their well established businesses, schools, universities… They had to flee so they do not die…

With the initiative of Durham region political figures, Ukrainian community of Durham region and Ukrainian Canadian Congress Durham Region Branch we have created Durham Ukrainian Relief Project whose main goal is to help newcomers from Ukraine successfully settle here in our region.

 

Numerous teams have been created to provide services and assistance to displaced Ukrainians in the following areas: immigration, legal aid, support for dealing with government programs, transportation, accommodation, financial Aid, Health care, translation, education, employment help, food and clothing, among others.

 

To support our cause the Durham Ukrainian Relief Fund has been created. There have been incredible fundraising efforts that brought our community together as we help these newcomers as much as possible with the goal of helping settle at least 2000 Ukrainians within Durham region. Up to date, thanks to generous donations and support we have collected $115000. $25000 has already been distributed to Ukrainian newcomers for their immediate needs such as food, shelter, medical exams, etc. and as those needs are growing every day we need to try our best to raise more funds in order to help those that need it the most.