are almost 5000 Odesa residents due to current government’s economic policy

By efforts of 260 enterprises and organizations in this oblast center, a homeless shelter was opened at the Saint Archangel Michael Convent, providing a roof for up to fifty persons of advanced age, made destitute by the current regime. In addition, a clinic began operation, and a soup kitchen capable of serving 200. Later an additional shelter with fifty beds is planned. At the opening of this first shelter of its kind in Ukraine, Metropolitan of Odesa and Izmayil Ahafanhel said, “We have witnessed that the feelings of the faithful of our church and the efforts by the state share the same direction — toward the rebirth of spirituality and helping one’s neighbor.” However, to my mind, it would have been even better had this country’s leadership not reduced the economy to the state where philanthropy becomes a decisive factor for the survival of many thousands of elderly people who can afford neither food nor medicine.

It should be noted that the Odesa city council has opened several shelters and one soup kitchen. However, according to Viktor Stankevych, the head of the City Department of Social Security, “Those charity institutions can provide for only up to 1000, while there is an urgent need to feed about 5,000 elderly people. In order to give them first aid, at least one or two charity canteens of the Veteran type should be opened in each of Odesa’s eight districts.”