MERCY Relief Efforts For Ukraine

Relief in Action: Supporting Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, the world changed for millions when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In the early weeks, more than 1.5 million people fled across the border into Poland, creating the largest refugee crisis Europe had seen in decades. MERCYworldwide responded immediately, deploying volunteers into Warsaw, Poland and Lviv, Ukraine to meet urgent needs and bring hope to those caught in the devastation.

Led by Nick and Denise Bordieri, James and Deidre Morgan, and Victor Maslyanikov, MERCY launched relief operations that combined practical aid, emotional healing, and spiritual encouragement—proving that compassion is not just a feeling, but an action.

MERCY Warsaw: Creating Safe Havens for the Displaced

In Warsaw, MERCY partnered with 7-year-old philanthropist Justyn Boumah and his organization, Heroes and Hearts, to create a “Reading Corner”—a library and study room in the Kasprzaka Refugee Center, home to more than 100 displaced Ukrainian children. Stocked with books, games, and a nurturing environment, it became a sanctuary for joy, learning, and emotional recovery.

Beyond the Reading Corner, MERCY provided:

• Safe housing for women, children, and the elderly

• Essential supplies, including food, medical kits, and hygiene products

• Spiritual and emotional support for trauma recovery

• Relocation assistance through the International Christian Church network, helping families resettle across Europe

MERCY also established a second library in another Warsaw refugee center, with plans to expand this initiative to bring comfort and care to more children in need.

MERCY Ukraine: Relief Efforts in Lviv and Kyiv

Inside Ukraine, MERCY volunteers such as Igor, Yura, Bogdan, Kolya, and Max led local initiatives, including:

• Bomb Shelter Construction – Building a refuge in downtown Lviv to protect civilians from missile strikes

• MERCY Hostel – Housing up to 20 internally displaced people awaiting onward travel or seeking temporary safety

• Humanitarian Aid Distribution – Delivering food, medical hygiene kits, and letters of encouragement into conflict zones

• Support for Orphanages and Community Networks – Providing ongoing care to the most vulnerable

MERCY also created an Information Advocacy Network to connect refugees with safe havens across Europe, including Warsaw, Stockholm, Amsterdam, London, and Germany.

Caring for One Another in Crisis

The MERCY team also:

• Assisted elderly and disabled evacuees, including Helena and her 90-year-old mother

• Partnered with faith-based relief groups in Ukraine and Poland

• Delivered petrol and supplies to volunteers transporting aid to frontline cities

• Empowered young Ukrainian women—Lesia, Katia, and Angelina—who became MERCY Ambassadors, serving children and families in Polish refugee centers

Why Relief and Care Matters

War affects more than the body—it wounds the heart and spirit. MERCY’s efforts addressed:

• Emotional trauma and PTSD

• Disrupted families and lost livelihoods

• Language and cultural barriers for refugees

• Spiritual encouragement and shared faith

Our mission went beyond recovery—it was about renewal.

“The light shines brightest in the darkest places.”

This is MERCY’s commitment: Compassion is Action.