Ukraine Devastated by Cold

A bitter cold wave has been sweeping across Eastern Europe for much of February. Ukraine has been especially hard hit, with at least 151 deaths, and more than 4,000 hospitalized suffering from hypothermia and frostbite. The government had to shut down schools, colleges and nursery schools due to the severe cold.

Ukrainian officials told the Associated Press that 90 percent of the deaths were alcohol-related, as alcohol raises the risk of hypothermia. Alcohol decreases a person’s ability to feel and respond to the cold. In addition to this, heavy snows have caused power outages, leaving families without heat in their homes and motorists stranded on highways. Economic conditions continue to be difficult, with many needy families having a hard time obtaining warm clothing. In addition, this severe cold is raising concerns from an agricultural perspective. Ukraine is the “breadbasket” of Eastern Europe, and a poor planting/growing season would have devastating effects on the economy, not to mention on the lives of needy families and individuals.

Please be in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine as they seek to minister the love of Christ to afflicted families. We also have the opportunity to help the churches in Ukraine—as well as across the other former Soviet countries—to provide humanitarian aid to needy families along with a loving Gospel witness. If you would like to help with a special gift, please click the “donate online” link at the right of this web page, and then select the “Humanitarian Aid” option.

Thank you in advance for your intercessory prayers.