Following the massive attacks against Ukraine, also targeting Lviv, Order of Malta volunteers, and specifically the ‘Malteser Relief Service of Ukraine’, were already in the country very early this morning, in the front line beside the population to offer essential and psychological support.

The Order of Malta has been present in Ukraine for thirty years, and has been very active since the beginning of the conflict, providing more than 10,000 tons of aid in over 70 different places. 300,000 people have been assisted at the borders and more than 60 shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced persons, mobilising over 80 million euros. In three years, the Malteser Relief Service of Ukraine has delivered some 60,000 psychological consultations for more than 37,000 adults and 45,000 children, both among internally displaced persons and refugees in neighbouring countries. Yesterday, the head of Malteser Ukraine, Pavlo Titko, spoke about these issues at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, relating the psychological consequences of the conflict on children and how the Order of Malta – together with all its entities – is tackling the problem. According to national data, 75% of Ukrainian children have post-traumatic stress symptoms such as anxiety, depression, aggression, isolation and silence. One in five suffer from nightmares or sleep disorders; one in ten refuse school or social interaction. “Investing in their mental health,” said Titko, “does not only mean helping them to survive the war, but is helping society as a whole to heal and recover”.

Anastasia Zherebetska, assistant to Pavlo Titko, today on the field in Lviv, testified that several volunteers offered their help at the site of the explosions where “we provided psychological first aid and social support, distributing drinks and food. We are here to show people that they are not alone. To help other volunteers. To support local authorities at our level”, said Anastasia.

© Malteser Ukraine/Ambasciata dell’Ordine di Malta in Ucraina