Urge Congress to support Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion

PC(USA) Action Alert seeks support for vulnerable Ukrainians, refugees and asylum seekers

by Rich Copley | Presbyterian News Service

Evacuees board a train at a railway station before leaving eastern Ukraine. (Photo by REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)

LEXINGTON, Kentucky — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness (OPW) is asking people to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to support people in Ukraine and refugees and asylum seekers following Russia’s invasion of the country.

“Now is a critical time to urgently provide humanitarian support to people in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries,” the Action Alert from the Presbyterian ministry on Capitol Hill reads. “The escalation of conflict has triggered an immediate and steep rise in humanitarian needs as essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting.

“The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighboring countries in the coming months.”

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, reported Thursday that more that 500,000 of the refugees are children.

Legislation before Congress includes $10 billion the administration of President Joe Biden has requested to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine as well as bolster the country’s defenses and its electrical grid. On Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced temporary protective status for Ukrainian nationals living in the United States for 18 months.

In addition to federal government support, many other entities are raising money for humanitarian support to Ukraine and refugees from the unprovoked war, including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian World Mission and others are working with partners in Ukraine and central Europe to steer funds to places where they will have the greatest impact.

Click here to give to the Presbyterian Church’s response to the crisis in Ukraine

But the federal government is able to act in ways most private entities cannot, which is why OPW is calling for advocacy in addition to giving.

“Now is a critical time to take action,” the alert says. “Join us in urging Congress to mobilize resources for humanitarian and displacement assistance and to hold the Biden administration accountable to respond to the protection needs of displaced and at-risk populations.”

The Alert provides an easy way for people to send an appeal to their congressional representatives.

The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and Office of Public Witness are Compassion, Peace & Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Read more on the Presbyterian response to Ukraine

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeking support for humanitarian response to Ukraine

PC(USA) mission co-worker leaves Russia on one of the last flights out of Moscow

Global partners grateful that the PC(USA) is standing in solidarity against Russian invasion

Polish seminary rector: ‘The whole country is rising to help these people’

Stated Clerk reacts to Russian invasion of Ukraine