February 20, 2025
Press release
For three years, Ukraine has bravely resisted the aggression of the Russian army. Caritas Czech Republic, a long-term supporter of Ukraine, has stood firmly behind the attacked country from the first days of the conflict and will continue helping its citizens. This support extends both directly to the affected areas and to refugees in the Czech Republic. In 2024, Caritas Czech Republic and local Caritas branches (Olomouc, Ostrava, and Znojmo) provided a total of 28.178 million CZK in aid to Ukrainians abroad, and 31.278 million CZK to those who found refuge in the Czech Republic.
After the full-scale invasion in 2022, Caritas Czech Republic became heavily involved in assisting Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, and this activity continues.
The third tragic anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine obliges us to continue helping those affected by the war. Our organization has been supporting this country for over two decades, and we stand firmly with Ukraine. We care deeply about the lives of people who experience the horrors of war daily or have had to flee from it,
says Lukáš Curylo, Director of Caritas Czech Republic.
Caritas for Ukraine – Three Years with Ukraine
Caritas Czech Republic launched a public fundraising campaign immediately after the war began. The funds have supported humanitarian aid sent to Ukraine, assistance for Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic, and in Moldova.
Czech donors contributed a total of 179.769 million CZK to the account “Caritas for Ukraine” (Account No. 55660022/0800, VS 104), with 163.151 million CZK in 2022, 10.536 million CZK in 2023, and 6.082 million CZK in 2024.
Additionally, a church collection in 2022 raised 30.256 million CZK.
In 2024, Caritas Czech Republic and local Caritas branches provided 28.178 million CZK in aid abroad and 31.278 million CZK for aid to Ukrainians in the Czech Republic.
Our mission is to help people in need, and we fulfill this duty especially with those suffering in Ukraine. Thanks to a well-functioning network of employees, volunteers, and ongoing cooperation with partner organizations in Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and elsewhere in Europe, we can ensure that our aid efficiently reaches those who need it most. The strong network of local Caritas branches guarantees professional assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic,
adds Director Lukáš Curylo.
Assistance to People Directly in Ukraine
As many as 3.7 million people displaced by war have taken refuge in safer parts of Ukraine, often starting from scratch to rebuild their lives.
Together with partners, Caritas Czech Republic:
- Delivers essential aid to the hardest-hit areas, secures dignified accommodation in renovated hostels or newly built modular houses.
- Assists with repairing damaged homes and preparing for winter, including the distribution of warm clothing and fuel.
- Supports livelihoods and economic self-sufficiency through requalification courses and microgrants to start small businesses.
- Renovates and equips rehabilitation centers and trains their staff.
More at: svet.charita.cz
Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the Czech Republic
Since the beginning of the war, nearly 700,000 refugees from Ukraine have registered in the Czech Republic, with 395,000 still residing here. Caritas has been involved in the state assistance structure from the start, helping with humanitarian aid, registration, adaptation, and integration. Special support is given to people with disabilities, single mothers, seniors, and other particularly vulnerable refugees.
Local Caritas branches across the country, connected into a nation-wide network, provide extensive aid in Brno, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Litoměřice, Olomouc, Plzeň, Prague, and other places.
Our core services include professional social and legal counseling. We also offer assistance in the form of accompanied interpreting, helping to facilitate communication for both newcomers and staff at offices and institutions. We run community centers, organize language and information courses, and provide support in finding housing and employment.
We have also provided food and material aid to particularly vulnerable refugees from Ukraine. However, the range of services offered by Caritas is much broader.
Integration Helpline
A helpline for Ukrainians in need of advice or in crisis offers phone interpreting, information, psycho-social support, and contacts for follow-up services. Available on weekdays at +420 731 432 431 and via email at bdEk07d7TbAp5YUSYanBZd54Ys.
In 2024, Caritas Czech Republic provided the following in the Czech Republic:
- Counseling for 13,787 people
- Assistance for 61,351 people
- Food and material aid for 13,951 people
- Accommodation or housing arrangement for 1,849 people
- Employment mediation (including employment within Caritas) for 1,912 people
- Czech language courses for 3,418 people
- Integration helpline services for 3,415 people
Data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs shows that most adult refugees work, pay taxes, and are no longer dependent on social benefits. One such story is Natalia, who came to the Czech Republic in March 2022 with her daughter and 80-year-old mother. Starting from scratch, mourning the loss of loved ones. Caritas helped her find housing and navigate her new environment. A teacher in Ukraine, Natalia quickly learned Czech, volunteered, and now works as an interpreter at Caritas.
When I see new clients, I know exactly what they are going through. I can give them not just information, but hope that things will get better,
says Natalia, who has found new colleagues and friends in the Czech Republic.
However, the figures mentioned above are based only on the data that could be collected. The actual numbers are likely even higher. “Our parishes, which are among the most active in helping Ukrainians, often don’t keep separate records they could report, for instance because they work in cooperation with other non-profit organizations,” admits Natálie Slivocká, director of the Greek Catholic Charity (a member organization of Caritas Czech Republic), which is primarily made up of Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic. “Our efforts are mainly focused on providing aid in Ukraine, including financial and humanitarian collections. We strongly feel that if our defenders lose the fight against the Russian army, the consequences will be severe — both in Ukraine and here,” concludes Natálie Slivocká.
Regional Aid for Ukraine
Significant support also comes from local Caritas branches in Olomouc, Ostrava, and Znojmo. They have a long-standing history of helping orphanages, healthcare facilities, and local Caritas in Ukraine that care for seniors and impoverished families—and have expanded their aid since the invasion. These three Caritas organizations also have their own fundraising accounts for this purpose.
Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc
Active in Ukraine since the 1990s, focusing on street children and supporting Ukrainian organizations in social services. “Currently, we’re focused on alternative electricity and heat sources. We responded to a water shortage by funding five technical water wells, four drinking water wells, and four filtration stations, and we bought a forklift for Caritas Kolomyja’s warehouse,” says Martin Zamazal. Last year, they provided nearly 6 million CZK in aid.
More at: www.acho.charita.cz
Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation Center of Ostrava-Opava Diocesan Caritas
“In 2024, we implemented projects and distributed funds totaling 9.515 million CZK,” summarizes Miroslav Hodeček, head of the Ostrava Center for Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation. “In addition, we regularly — about once a month — transport material aid to Ukraine.”
Their core activities include the Adoption at a Distance program for children from socially disadvantaged families (which helps them access education and improve their families’ material and emotional well-being), the Dignified Life project (supporting elderly people living alone without sufficient financial means), support for the Home of Peaceful Old Age in Ust-Chorna and the Children's Home in Ivano-Frankivsk, the Mother and Child Shelter in Odesa, and assistance for people whose lives have been affected by the armed conflict in the east of the country. This includes, for example, St. Nicholas gift packages for children living in combat zones.
More at: www.adoptujsi.cz
Regional Caritas Znojmo
“In Znojmo, we continue to support resettled families and individuals who have fled Russian aggression. We run a humanitarian warehouse where people can come for clothing, food, and sometimes even furniture. We also provide the services of a translator and assistant to help with official documents, communication with schools, and other necessary accompaniment,” says Evžen Adámek, director of the Regional Caritas Znojmo. Forty people are still housed in the Dominican monastery building, where they receive additional support.
In Ukraine, they continue our long-term assistance to socially disadvantaged rural families and carry out projects supporting children from the poorest backgrounds, in cooperation with local partners. For example, Caritas Dnipro requested funding for a water filter due to severe tap water contamination. Now, families with children and elderly people can come to the Caritas center daily for clean drinking water. In Caritas Zolochiv, they funded, among other things, the installation of photovoltaic panels to ensure access to electricity during power outages.
We continue to assist our other partners as before. In Zakarpattia, we co-finance the operation of a social center in Uzhhorod, medical care for children from poor families in Perechyn, and general support for disadvantaged families. In Caritas Mukachevo, we support medical care for both children and adults and aid for families in need. In Lviv, we provide financial support for a kindergarten for children from crisis-affected families, a day center, and a low-threshold club for children and youth. In Zolochiv, we fund the development of home care services.
“We are grateful to everyone who joins us in supporting war-torn Ukraine,” concludes director Evžen Adámek. In 2024, we contributed 5.403 million CZK. In Znojmo alone, our assistance to people from Ukraine amounted to 4.260 million CZK.
More at: znojmo.charita.cz
Three Years with Ukraine – Upcoming Events
Litoměřice
The Integration and Community Center Svit of the Diocesan Caritas Litoměřice and Caritas Litoměřice invite you to a Memorial Gathering marking three years since the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The event will take place on Friday, 28 February 2025 at 4:00 PM at the Domov na Dómském pahorku (Home on the Dómský hill). The program will include a discussion with journalist Ondřej Soukup and Michal Hnaťuk, the commander of a canine search-and-rescue team who, alongside his dog, locates injured and fallen soldiers in Ukraine.
Media Contacts:
Jan Oulík
Media Relations Officer at Caritas Czech Republic
e-mail: jan.oulik@charita.cz
tel. +420 603 895 984