* Updated 4 March 2024 *
Churches and Christian organisations are continuing to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine with initiatives to host refugees, prayers, statements and appeals for aid.
Quick links
- Sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees
- Church and Christian organisations’ web pages on Ukraine
- Churches’ Ukraine Refugee Roundtable
- Emergency Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
- Church and other appeals
- Latest Responses from churches and Christian organisations
Sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees
The UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme is for those who wish to sponsor a ‘named person’. The Ukraine Extension Scheme is for some Ukrainian nationals and their family members who have had permission to stay in the UK between certain dates. The Ukraine Family Scheme closed to new applicants on 19 February 2024.
In December 2022, the UK Government updated details of the support package for Ukrainians.
Extra advice is available from the Welsh Government for sponsors in Wales. Although the principles of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme are the same across the UK, differences exist for some public services.
The Welsh and Scottish Governments introduced Super Sponsor schemes, designed to provide a quicker and safer route for displaced people from Ukraine to come to a place of sanctuary. The Scottish Government provides a guide Scotland for Ukrainians: a guide for displaced people. Due to exceptionally high demand and a shortage of suitable accommodation, the Welsh Government suspended the scheme in Wales in June 2022.
The Scottish Government additionally published a Ukraine refugee psychological wellbeing pack. The Scottish Refugee Council also has a section of advice relating to Ukraine.
The Irish Refugee Council has information about travelling to and entering Ireland for those fleeing Ukraine after the Russian invasion, including links to information provided by the Irish Government. It quotes the Irish Government, on 21 October 2022, stating that it cannot guarantee it will be able to provide temporary accommodation to all people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Reset Communities and Refugees launched a matching and training service to pair sponsors and refugees under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. The service is available via Reset’s Homes for Ukraine website.
Communities for Ukraine is a refugee sponsorship programme created in March 2022. It is a collaboration between Citizens UK’s Sponsor Refugees project, and Ukrainian Sponsorship Pathway UK (USPUK), which have both been awarded ‘Recognised Provider’ status by the UK Government to match refugees with host sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) launched a Ukraine Matching Service in November 2022 for the Catholic community to help recruit hosts from across the UK willing to support displaced Ukrainians.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain has a web page with information for those interested in sponsoring Ukrainian refugees, including a response form to enable the organisation to keep in touch with Baptists exploring refugee sponsorship/support.
The Church of England has produced a parish toolkit and safeguarding guidance for those looking to help refugees, including via the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
Welcome Churches is working with churches and organisations across the UK to identify Ukrainian families in need of accommodation. It has also launched a website providing information for those arriving in the UK from Ukraine in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
A ‘Welcome Centre’ has been set up in London by the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in partnership with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, based in Weighhouse Street in central London, aimed at being a single point of contact for essential information for arrival, settling and long-term living in the UK. There is an associated website providing useful information for those arriving or those looking to support them.
The Refugee Council published a response to the Homes for Ukraine scheme when introduced in March 2022.
Church and Christian organisations’ web pages on Ukraine
- Baptist Union of Great Britain
- CAFOD
- Catholic Church in England and Wales
- Christian Aid
- Church of England
- Church of Ireland (prayers)
- Church in Wales
- Conference of European Churches (CEC)
- Fellowship of Reconciliation
- Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT)
- Methodist Church
- Quakers in Britain
- United Reformed Church (URC)
Churches’ Ukraine Refugee Roundtable
Emergency Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
CAFOD and Christian Aid are among the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) members with an appeal to help the people who have fled their homes to escape the conflict in Ukraine. 6.3 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally (as of June 2023) with more than 5 million people estimated to be displaced inside Ukraine according the UNHCR.
CAFOD Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
Christian Aid Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Church and other appeals
All We Can (Methodist relief and development) and the Methodist Church in Britain
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal
Church of England Diocese in Europe and USPG
The Methodist Church in Ireland
Latest responses from churches and Christian organisations
“I am not neutral … Ukraine is paying for our security with money, but also with blood."
– Archbishop @JustinWelbyThe General Synod issued a call to reaffirm support for Ukraine today.https://t.co/t0e2q7hUSy
— The Church of England (@churchofengland) February 27, 2024
Today marks the two-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski offers us a Lenten reflection calling for prayer, support and a re-evaluation of how we are all called to be peacemakers in our society today.https://t.co/IvaA6JRAUv
— Catholic Church (@catholicEW) February 24, 2024
On second anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, WCC reaffirms “war is incompatible with God’s very nature” https://t.co/VYrjAn9Xq5
📷Ivars Kupcis/WCC pic.twitter.com/InlkRhVBGW— World Council of Churches (WCC) (@Oikoumene) February 23, 2024
We asked Ukrainian young people who are refugees in the UK what we should pray for on the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Here's their response: https://t.co/OB4IDtORcx.#Ukraine #Pray4Ukraine pic.twitter.com/8YsTS0w6AP
— UnitedReformedChurch (@UnitedReformed) February 22, 2024
A great experience with Justice and Peace colleagues from across Europe 🕊️ https://t.co/pSq2bMpzbQ
— Justice & Peace Scotland 🕊 (@JandPScotland) February 11, 2024
It is heartbreaking to hear of the loss of life in Kyiv this morning in this appalling attack by Russia. I am praying for all those affected and their families.
We were safe and well in a very secure shelter but it is a stark reminder of the dangers people here are facing every… pic.twitter.com/FU0A2Wy8tC
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) February 7, 2024
Ukraine’s churches and those across the @DioceseinEurope have provided wonderful respite to all in need during the war. I give thanks for their continued work. pic.twitter.com/WEkEPvf59l
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) February 6, 2024
Almost two years have passed since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. I have come here to stand with our Ukrainian sisters and brothers; to pray with and for them, to learn from them and to say loud and clear that, amid all that is going on in other places, the world… pic.twitter.com/MkkCtvxIz9
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) February 5, 2024
31 January 2024
Bishops’ Appeal Update
An update on the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal describes the current situation in Ukraine as “challenging with more airstrikes, less support, and a general concern about the most vulnerable”.
Please see the United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough website.