Have we become accustomed to war?

During the most recent ZOOM meeting of the coordinators of the work with/for Ukrainian refugees in the countries directly or indirectly neighboring to Ukraine – for the first time with a representative of the UMC in Ukraine in order to enhance the coordination – several participants mentioned that the situation in their country is stable and that there are no major new developments in regard to the work with/for refugees from Ukraine. There are still new people crossing the border and requiring assistance, but their number has decreased. Some refugees return to Ukraine, others move on to Western Europe. Aid has been structured, and the focus of a good number of activities has shifted from emergency assistance to longer-term support. This does, however, not mean that the responsible people of the UMC would now simply turn to other tasks. Or that the war in Ukraine would not still cause terrible suffering. Even if "the situation is stable" in the countries directly or indirectly neighboring to Ukraine, many people in these countries follow the advice of Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians and pray (for peace) without ceasing. And they let their service go hand in hand with their prayers. Thank you for standing at the side of the suffering people in Ukraine, of the internally displaced, of the refugees that went to other countries – and of all helpers who, with an amazing commitment, do their best to meet the material, emotional and spiritual needs of those who lost so much and whose lives have been turned upside down.