As we reach the two-year mark since the war in Ukraine began, it's hard to imagine the conflict ending any time soon. But there is Hope amongst the rubble, and we believe this Hope can only be found in Jesus Christ.

With an unprecedented number of disasters across the globe in the last year it is easy to be distracted from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which continues to destroy lives, devastate towns, and diminish hope. We're also seeing much needed resources and supplies slowly depleting in Ukrainian communities as the world's attention turns elsewhere.

At Samaritan's Purse, we're in it for the long-run, continuing to bring the eternal Hope of Jesus to the people of Ukraine through practical and spiritual aid - and we couldn't do it without the generosity and sacrifice of our supporters. Pastor Daniel from the town of Marhanets is just one of the partners we have had the privilege of working with in Ukraine.

Pastor Daniel’s Story

Pastor Daniel leads Good News Church in Marhanets in the Dnipropetrovshchyna region of Ukraine. Sitting in the shadows of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant on the banks of the Dnieper River, the community is a regular target of Russian shelling and is still reeling from the crippling aftereffects of the Kakhovka Dam disaster.

In the wake of this unrelenting devastation, Pastor Daniel described the mood of the community: "People in the local community had overwhelming feelings of fear, despair, and helplessness. Prices of everyday consumer goods, gas and electricity had skyrocketed, and many lost their jobs. They needed help, and they needed hope."

Pastor Daniel knew Samaritan's Purse well since receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift as a child and his church had been a partner for many years before the conflict began. This God-ordained connection opened the door for Samaritan's Purse to act immediately when the need was greatest, supplying essential food items and hygiene kits to the community, followed by clean drinking water when the dam was destroyed. Pastor Daniel went on to explain more about the partnership with Samaritan's Purse:

"Samaritan's Purse were the first large relief organisation to respond in our town, thanks to the relationships they had established with local churches before the war through Operation Christmas Child. We are thankful to God for this relationship which made it possible to quickly respond to the needs of our community with essential food items and hygiene kits, almost a year before any other organisation. It was amazing to see up to a thousand people a day coming to our church to receive aid and experience God's Love.

In June 2023, when Russia destroyed the Kakhovka Dam, Samaritan's Purse called me immediately to check I was okay and see how they could help the community. I shared the need for clean drinking water and went to meet the team. Shortly after, they came to Marhanets to drill a well, install two reverse osmosis water treatment systems, and provide a van, which until this day delivers clean drinking water to between 1,000 and 1,500 homes each day.

My fellow Ukrainians understand that someone who lives very far away is making sacrifices to support them through these dark times. We praise God for every Samaritan's Purse supporter who continues to make sacrifices to bless the people in my town. This is love in action. Thank you so much."

As the war continues the need is as great as ever and our work providing practical and spiritual aid in Jesus' Name is not slowing down any time soon - but we need your help. Reflecting on two years of conflict, would you prayerfully consider making a gift to our Ukraine crisis relief work, bringing the Hope of Jesus Christ to communities just like Daniel's?