EUROPE/UKRAINE - Christian churches and organizations: spontaneous solidarity cannot be considered a replacement for the "much needed support and coordination, which is a State responsibility

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - Various religious organizations representing all the Christian Churches present in the European continent (Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic) and many active institutions for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (such as Caritas, Community of Sant'Egidio, JRS…), have signed a joint declaration in which they support the application of the Temporary Protection Directive to Ukrainian refugees and suggest proposals for the management of this emergency. The signatory organizations are deeply committed to the inviolable dignity of the human person created in the image of God, as well as to the concepts of the common good, global solidarity and the promotion of a society that welcomes strangers and values freedom, security and justice in policy and practice. Since the outbreak of the war, "many of our members have responded to the exodus from Ukraine, setting up both small and large-scale support structures, opening the doors of parishes, private houses, or church institutions across Europe, and transferring large scale support to border countries and, where still possible, into Ukraine".
There are several steps to be taken, on a political and practical level, to respond to the emergency, in the awareness that the spontaneous solidarity shown is an enormous value, but the activities of volunteers cannot be considered a replacement for the "much needed support and coordination, which is and must remain a State responsibility". The signatories support the decision of the Council of the European Union to activate the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) and to introduce operational guidelines for external border management to facilitate border crossings at the EU-Ukraine borders; they also welcome the mobilisation and flexibility of EU funding to be allocated towards the needs of Ukrainian refugees, as well as a pragmatic approach to help the people concerned.
"These practices and policies show that Europe can be a champion of refugee protection if it wants to" affirm the organizations that subsequently appeal to the institutions of the different States and to the EU, so that the Temporary Protection Directive is implemented in a harmonized way, consistent with the principles that animate it and in all its implications, therefore also including the rights of refugees with regard to access to employment, recognition of qualifications, healthcare, education, housing...
The declaration proposes other suggestions on relevant aspects, such as the criteria for the self-distribution of refugees within EU Member States; the need for particular attention to the social sectors most at risk (disabled, women, Roma, unaccompanied minors ...); the distribution and access to resources allocated for the emergency; support and control regarding the reception of refugees in private accommodation ... A commitment is also required to stigmatize any hate speech towards Russian citizens, distinguishing them from the aggressive regime that triggered the war, and the ongoing commitment of protection to other groups of refugees and asylum seekers should be maintained. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2022)

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