As bombs continue to rain down on Ukraine, 7.5 million Ukrainian children are in grave danger and more vulnerable than ever.
Many of these children have been separated from their families – as their parents passed them on to others hoping to get them out of the country. Others are orphans without a home.
And once you hear about the true situation on the ground – you’re bound to be horrified.
To start – children are inherently vulnerable – but especially in the middle of a war.
Traffickers in other countries are just waiting to exploit refugee children with no place to go.
And since children can’t yet provide for themselves, they are dependent on adults to help them get their basic physical needs met.
Not to mention many children who rightfully don’t understand what’s happening in their country are scared and confused – and their psychological and emotional state is fragile.
Yael Eckstein, president and CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) spoke firsthand about the reality of the horrifying situation on the ground.
Fox News reported:
“I have worked in the humanitarian aid field for over 16 years. I thought I had seen it all. But in the past seven days,” she added — referring to Russia’s assault on Ukraine — “I have witnessed suffering and desperation that I have never seen in my lifetime.”
Eckstein said that for her, “the most heartbreaking thing was seeing orphans whom The Fellowship supports [caught] in the middle of a war zone.”
Absolutely heartbreaking.
Malcki Bukiat runs an orphanage in Ukraine, and when the explosions started, she knew she had to act quickly.
Working with IFCJ – she organized a 15-hour bus trip across Ukraine to evacuate the children to safety.
Fox News continued:
“Bukiat shared that during this bus trip, “it was very difficult to keep the children calm. They were not used to seeing tanks, military vehicles and soldiers. They were very scared and some of them cried,” she said.
“They needed us to support them, and we had to convey calmness to protect them from trauma.” The trip took 15 hours, Bukiat said.”
Praise God these children made it out of Ukraine and to safety.
But there are those who have not yet made it out and are still stuck in the middle of a war zone.
While Christians and other humanitarian organizations are working to evacuate them, the situation is dangerous and complicated.
We must continue to pray for all involved, and that God will use those who have not lost faith to do His will.
And we must continue to intercede and pray on behalf of the children of Ukraine – and pray for God to do what only He can do.
Father God – our hearts break for the situation in Ukraine. God we know your heart breaks too as the world you created is overrun with sin and wickedness. Lord, we know you are sovereign, and we pray for you to please provide a way to help these children escape – and keep them safe. Send families to care for them, and financial resources to provide. We pray for peace Lord – in Ukraine and all around the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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