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Letter from our Donor Organization

Letter from our Donor Organization -Brot für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Berlin,17 March 2022

Dear sisters and brothers,
Dear friends and colleagues,
Dear partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries,
We cannot imagine your situationatthe moment.And we lack words to expressour feelings as we witness theimmeasurableamount ofsuffering in these days.War isincredibly horribleandcruel, war leads to destruction and death–warcontains everything which we wantedto overcome together in common serviceand inourpartnershipfor life in dignity.War is aterrible attempt to cutconnections and to divide humans, it is carried out to destroyclose andlongtermrelations.
At the moment our means to change thissituationare limited. But we wouldliketo reassure you that we want to dofor youwhateverispossible.We want tosupport you and stand with you as much as we can. Please tell us what youneed, what is happening, what we can do for you now–because situations andneeds change quickly. We build on information from your side when we takedecisions.We try to react as fast as we can and to be as flexible as possible. Ourhumanitarian branch Diakonie Katastrophenhilfehas installed anemergencyfund, and wereceivedonationsin order to expand this fund. We are alsoclosely connected to political and ecumenical processes of dialogue, we areengaged in building bridges between countries and groups and conflictingparties. We raise our voice together with churches and civil societyorganizations–and we speak out also for those who at the moment have nochanceto raise their voices.We put as much resources as possible into disasterrelief, and by doing sowe want to express active solidarity with our partners inUkraine and with all refugees in the neighbouring countries, as well as with the refugees who come toGermanyin these days.

We also want to stand insolidaritywithour partners in Belarus and in Russia who now experiencerepressions, heavy restrictions and hostility. We admire all of you who givecare,whowork incrediblyhardtosupportothers in very dangerous situations, and all who risk their freedom and have to fearpunishment because of theirpublicprotest against this war and their request for peace.
We share with you the great fear, the desperate cry for an end ofthisviolence, the longing forlife inpeaceandinfreedom. We pray for you,we ask Godto protect youwherever you areandto send his Spirit ofPeace in all hearts, in all countries. We trust that one day this Spirit will be stronger than all evil plans ofdestruction.Therefore, nothing is in vain that is done to rescue lives, to give helpand to speak out forpeace.
We encourage ourpartner organizations and churches in EasternandinCentral Europe to remain inopen dialoguewith all people of good will, to try to find creative ways for peace building, not to succumbto enemy thinking anddistorted stereotypes of the others and to appreciate the role of so manypeoplefrom both Russian and Ukrainian backgroundto give witness forsolidarity, peace and reconciliation inthese extremely difficult circumstances.
We greet you with wordsof blessing from the Bible and commit your souls, bodies and spirits into thehands of God.MayGod protect you and all people you love, and may he help usallto find a way for peace!As we are intheseason of Lent in these days that will lead us all theway to Good Friday and Easter,wewould liketoremind each other againthat the power ofviolence anddeath has been overcomeand willnot last.May theGod of life be with you wherever you are!
I lift my eyes up to the mountains–
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
The Lord will keep you from harm–
He will watch over your life;

The Lord will watchover your coming and going

Both now and forevermore.

(From Psalm 121)