Ukrainians are grateful to the faithful of the Philadelphian Archeparchy of UGCC for the victory over the flu

During the second wave of the flu epidemic the co-workers of Caritas Ukraine worked actively in order to prevent the spread of the disease. The help of the faithful of the Philadelphian Archeparchy of the UGCC allowed for the purchase of $40,000 worth in medications for the most susceptible groups of the population – children, elderly, AID’s patients. On December 3 in Lviv during a meeting of Bishop Stefan (Soroka), Metropolitan of Philadelphia, and the president of Caritas Ukraine Andriy Vaskovych an agreement was reached about the transfer of the $40,000 to fight against the spread of the flu epidemic. The necessary sum was collected by the faithful of the Philadelphian Archeparchy of the UGCC. “Caritas Ukraine did attempt to help all the inhabitants of the country. The support was focused on certain groups of the population most vulnerable to the epidemic: the elderly, street children and children from broken homes, AID’s patients, and also patients of the Sheptytyskyj Hospital in Lviv,” explained the general secretary of Caritas of Ukraine Mr. Anatoliy Kozak. “When the pandemic reached a critical point, we all saw the real panic on the streets, especially in western Ukraine. Literally in a few days all the pharmacies were sold out of vitamins, immune stimulators, and anti-flu medicine,” remarked Anatoliy Kozak. “Unfortunately, it was the poorest groups of the population who found themselves in the most critical situation. Considering their weakener immune systems, malnutrition, and other factors, they became the best targets of diseases, such as the flu. Conducting these preventative measures we give a clear signal not only to the poor but also to the rest of the Ukrainian society that they are not forgotten.”  Over 1000 persons of all categories were involved in the action. Assistance was given through the network of regional centers of Caritas in Ukraine: in Lviv (Caritas Lviv and Sheptytskyj Hospital), Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytsky, Kyiv, Donetsk, Odesa, Sokal, Drohobych, Boryslav, Kolomyja, and Chortkiv. http://caritas-ua.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=252&Itemid=92